Citation

Tillyer R, Engel RS, Cherkauskas JC. Policing (Bradford) 2010; 33(1): 69-92.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing)

DOI

10.1108/13639511011020601

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Purpose – Within the last 15 years, law enforcement agencies have increased their collection of data on vehicle stops. A variety of resource guides, research reports, and peer-reviewed articles have outlined the methods used to collect these data and conduct analyses. This literature is spread across numerous publications and can be cumbersome to summarize for practical use by practitioners and academics. This article seeks to fill this gap by detailing the current best practices in vehicle stop data collection and analysis in state police agencies. Design/methodology/approach – The article summarizes the data collection techniques used to assist in identifying racial/ethnic disparities in vehicle stops. Specifically, questions concerning why, when, how, and what data should be collected are addressed. The most common data analysis techniques for vehicle stops are offered, including an evaluation of common benchmarking techniques and their ability to measure at-risk drivers. Vehicle stop outcome analyses are also discussed, including multivariate analyses and the outcome test. Within this summary, strengths and weaknesses of these techniques are explored. Findings – In summarizing these approaches, a body of best practices in vehicle stop data collection and analysis is developed. Originality/value – Racial profiling continues to be a contentious issue for law enforcement and the community. A considerable body of research has developed to assess the prevalence of racial profiling. This article offers social scientists and practitioners a comprehensive, succinct, peer-reviewed summary of the best practices in vehicle stop data collection and analysis.