Results of a Traffic Stop Data Analysis shows that Black motorists are twice as likely to be stopped by police within the City of Grand Rapids than non-Black drivers. Hispanic drivers also experienced disparities while driving in some areas of the community. White and women drivers, however, did not face disparate treatment. Those results, as well as other data examining possible disparities and detailing recommendations, are part of a 100-page report submitted to the City by Lamberth Consulting. Grand Rapids officials requested the study last year as part of its 12-Point Plan to Strengthen Community and Police Relations, released in early 2015. “Findings from the Traffic Stop Study are very troubling,” City Manager Greg Sundstrom said. “The Study gives us a three-year review of the operational practices of the Grand Rapids Police Department, prior to the enactment of the 12-Point Plan, showing disparities in Grand Rapids Police Department traffic stops. The City does not shy away from these disappointing findings. We own this.” The report, available at grcity.us, conducts analysis by comparing observational benchmarks to the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) traffic stop data. The study examined 20 intersections throughout the City during 2013, 2014 and 2015. The consultant also compared current data with that collected during a similar study conducted in 2004. The race/ethnicity of drivers at those same locations was determined by surveying on randomly selected days and times.
Lamberth Consulting compared the proportion of minority stops to minority traffic. In addition, the proportion of minority motorists searched was compared to the proportion of minority motorists stopped. According to the report, Black motorists were searched far more than their presence in traffic among motorists stopped. Black motorists were also no more likely to be carrying contraband when searched than were non-Black motorists. Hispanic motorists were searched about the same rate they were stopped, and contraband was found at a somewhat lower rate than among White and Black motorists. Sundstrom said while the community and its police department have formed a solid partnership and have enacted several policies that were adopted after the years studied in the report, the study showed that traffic stops were applied disparately during the study years.
“This is unexceptable, and it must end,” Sundstrom said. “This is contrary to the values of our community. The City holds racial equity as our highest priority, and we will place great urgency on this mandate to address the inequities and disparities in our traffic stops and policing practices. In addition to adopting many of the recommendations made in the report, we will also begin a critical review of the Police Department’s policing practices to eliminate racial bias.”
Grand Rapids Chief of Police David Rahinsky said he was very troubled by the results and that he saw this study as an important departmental assessment and a courageous next step to further improve his department and its bond with the community.
Traffic Stop Study community meetings will be held tonight and Wednesday at the following times:
Tuesday, April 18
5:30 p.m. LINC UP Gallery 1167 Madison Ave. SE
7:30 p.m. The Edge Urban Fellowship 735 Ritzema Ct. SW Wednesday,
Wednesday, April 19
4:00 p.m. Michigan First Credit Union 1815 Breton Road SE
5:30 p.m. Rockford Construction 601 First St. NW
7:30 p.m. GRPS University 1400 Fuller Ave. NE