Study shows “racial disparities” in traffic stops by police in RI

April 28, 2018 12:00 am

By John Krinjak

Email: jkrinjak@abc6.com

Twitter: @johnkrinjakABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A new report is shedding light on racial and ethnic disparities during traffic stops by police in Rhode Island.

The report, commissioned by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, looked at more than 230,000 traffic stops by 40 different agencies.

It found that black and Hispanic drivers were more likely to be stopped than their white counterparts.

Still, the report authors say this does not necessarily mean officers are racially profiling.

Researchers from Central Connecticut State University found that 11.4% of people stopped were black, and 13% Hispanic–even though officers were less likely to find contraband when searching those minority drivers.

"Unfortunately the results are disappointing but not necessarily surprising," said Steven Brown, executive director of the Rhode Island ACLU.

Providence, Cranston, Narragansett and North Smithfield Police, and the Hope Valley State Police barracks showed disparities that "warranted further analysis."

"Some of it may be completely unintentional-the result of certain neutral policies that have an impact on black and Latino drivers such as where they put up patrols, what sort of neighborhoods. But I think the bottom line is there clearly are some problems," said Brown.

Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael Winquist takes issue with the report. He says officers often can’t tell the ethnicity of a driver until he or she has already been pulled over.

Winquist added both national and internal reviews of Cranston officers have shown no racial or ethnic disparities, and he’s gotten no complaints about racial profiling in his department.

But Cranston, along with the other four agencies identified, has agreed to undergo further study. That’s something brown feels is an important step toward addressing concerns he hears regularly.

"We should believe people in the minority community and the black and Latino community when they express frustration and fear about being pulled over//and hopefully that will lead to," said Brown. "Trying to figure out why it’s happening and stop it from happening so often," said Brown.

The Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association responded Friday saying:

"We look forward to working…to address any disparities identified in their analysis to determine the root of their cause. …the mere presence of statistical disparity does not fully explain the varied interactions of law enforcement with the public we serve."

Meanwhile State Police Superintended Col. Ann Assumpico says:

"The Rhode Island State Police is committed to providing fair, impartial and ethical law enforcement services to everyone in our community, regardless of race or ethnicity. We do not tolerate discrimination in any form."