16-A PD 2002 Law Enf Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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The minimum requirements for "tier one" data for traffic stops in which a citation results are: 1) the race or ethnicity of individual detained (race and ethnicity as defined by the bill means of"a ~,particular descent, ~ncludxng Caucas an, Afl.man, Hispamc, As~an, or Nat ye America ) -- 2) whether a search was conducted, and if there was a search, whether it was a consent search or a probable cause search; and 3) whether there was a custody arrest. -- The minimum requirements for reporting on "tier two" reports include traffic and pedestrian stops. Tier two data include: 1) the detained person's gender and race or ethnicity; -- 2) the type of law violation suspected, e.g., hazardous traffic, non-hazardous traffic, or other criminal investigation (the Texas Department of Public Safety publishes a categorization of traffic offenses into'hazardous or non-hazardous); -- 3) whether a search was conducted, and if so whether it was based on consent or probable cause; 4) facts supporting probable cause; 5) the type, if any, of contraband that was collected; 6) disposition of the stop, e.g., arrest, ticket, warning, or release; -- 7) location of stop;and 8) statement of the charge, e.g., felony, misdemeanor, or traffic. Tier one reports are made to the governing body of each county or municipality served by the agency an annual report of information if the agency is an agency ora county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state. Tier one and two reports are reported to the county or municipality not later than March 1 for the previous calendar year beginning March 1, 2003. Tier two reports include a comparative -- analysis between the race and ethnicity of persons detained to see ifa differential pattern of treatment can be discerned based on the disposition of stops including searches resulting fi.om the stops. The reports also include information relating to each complaint filed with the agency alleging that a peace officer employed by the agency has engaged in racial profiling. An agency may be exempt fi.om the tier two reporting -- requirement by applying for the funds fi.om the Department of Public Safety for video and audio equipment and the State does not supply those funds [See 2.135 (a)(2) TCCP]. -- Reports should include both raw numbers and percentages for each group. Caution should be exercised in interpreting the data involving percentages because of statistical distortions caused by very small numbers in any particular category, for example, if only one American Indian is stopped and searched, that stop _ would not provide an accurate comparison with 200 stops among Caucasians with 100 searches. In the first case, a 100% search rate would be skewed data when compared to a 50% rate for Caucasians. Standard 4 -- Ifa law enforcement agency has video and audio capabilities in motor vehicles regularly used for traffic stops, or audio capabilities on motorcycles regularly used to make traffic stops, the agency: " . . -- adopts standards for reviewing and reta g audio and · inln deo documentation; and · promptly provides a copy of the recording to a peace officer who is the subject of _ a complaint on written request by the officer. Commentary. The agency should have a specific review and retention policy. Article 2.132 TCCP specifically requires -- that the peace officer be promptly provided with a copy of the audio or video recordings if the officer is the subject of a complaint and the officer makes a written request. -- Standard 5 Agencies that do not currently have video or audio equipment must examine the feasibility_of installi~.g such equipment. 3 of 4