Massachusetts recently published a study on racial bias in police traffic stops. The study found no evidence of racial profiling.
This is good news for everyone in Massachusetts. When a study comes out on selective police targeting attentive criminal defense lawyers pay close attention. It is illegal for the government to selectively target people on the basis of their race.
What did the study find?
The report concluded that there is no evidence that police in Massachusetts were more likely to stop non-white drivers.
According to the report, non-white drivers are 36% less likely to be stopped during the day-time, when they are more likely to be visible and racially profiled, than in the dark. As one of the PhD researchers put it, “our findings do not confirm racial profiling. . . .”
What method did the researchers use?
To test for racial bias, researchers used a method other states have successfully used called “Veil of Darkness” (VoD) analysis. Under this method researchers compare traffic stops made when it is dark to those made in the daylight. The logic is that police officers are less likely able to determine a driver’s race at night than during the day.
Who did the research?
The law required that the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) organize a report. However, Massachusetts merely provided researchers the data to conduct the study. Researches from two different Massachusetts state universities crunched the numbers to keep the study independent and unbiased. They used data from more than 280 police departments, each of which conducted more than 100 traffic stops. This is about 80% of all law enforcement agencies in the state. While this doesn't conclude that racial profiling does not exist in Massachusetts, it does mark a healthy and encouraging statistical data point for the initial police stops.
What else did the study find?
The study also produced some other interesting statistics on traffic stops in Massachusetts. For example, on the amount of traffic stops by race:
- White drivers accounted for 65% of all traffic stops
- Black motorists accounted for 16%
- Hispanic drivers represented 15%
- Asians, Native Americans, Middle Eastern, or Pacific Islander made up 4%
To read the full report, click here.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY POLICE AND CHARGED WITH A CRIME, AND YOU NEED AN EXPERIENCED CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER WORKING ON YOUR SIDE TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS, PLEASE CONTACT CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY WILLIAM J. BARABINO.
CALL 781-393-5900 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR AVAILABLE DEFENSES.
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