Vehicle stop report data shows continued overrepresentation of Black drivers in traffic stops
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Attorney General's Office released a vehicle stop report for 2020 and 2021, which shows the breakdown of traffic stops by the racial make-up of the drivers.
The data shows black drivers continue to be pulled over at disproportionate rates, while white drivers are underrepresented in traffic stops. Hispanic, Asain, Native American and other races are also underrepresented for the amount of the population they make up.
The Attorney General's Office has compiled vehicle stop data since 2000. Most law enforcement agencies participate, but some, including Maries County Sheriff and Sturgeon Police, did not submit data.
“This report helps law enforcement agencies and others contextualize vehicle stops and identify areas for improvement,” said Attorney General Schmitt. “It's my hope that this report will ensure that Missourians are receiving the best possible service from our state's law enforcement.”
White drivers made up about 74% of traffic stops in 2021 and Black drivers made up 42% of stops. Whites made up more than 80% of the state's population in 2020, while blacks were less than 11%.
Jefferson City Police Chief Roger Schroeder said the department is aware of the data and is devoted to serving the community.
"We adhere to the governing state law in terms of monitoring and addressing any apparent racially disproportionate traffic stop data in a constructive and fruitful way," Schroeder said. "We proactively strive to employ fair-minded, just and impartial individuals, provide state-of-the-art training, appropriate guidance and direction and employ a consistent level of professional accountability."
Columbia Police Department declined to comment saying, "We are still reviewing the data and have no statement at this time."
Jerome Morris is an endowed professor of urban studies at the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Morris said the data reinforces what he already knew.
"Some of this is not unexpected," Morris said. "We have these indelible perceptions that continued over time. And we're still dealing with some of the lingering remnants of that, which includes the perception of black people."
Morris said the solution is not anti-racist training or any other what he called "band-aid" approaches, but instead diversifying the police force.
"The next step I would say is how do we increase the population of law enforcers to be more representative of the communities in which they serve?" Morris said.
