Report Shows Racial Profiling by SDPD; Critics Say Study Missing Key Information

The study was conducted by San Diego State University (SDSU) over a two-year period and looked at 259,000 traffic stops

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s commissioned a local university to conduct a study on traffic stops made by San Diego police.

The study was conducted by San Diego State University (SDSU) over a two-year period and looked at 259,000 traffic stops. According to the study, blacks and Latinos are more likely to be stopped north of Interstate 8 compared to white drivers.

In general, blacks and Latinos are more likely to have a field interview, and be searched. The study also found that those drivers are also less likely to have contraband on them at the time of the stops.

In a public meeting at City Hall, a spokesperson with SDSU said the study is missing key information because it is not recorded at the time of stops. Their suggestion to better analyze profiling is to change the policy and collect data at the time of the stops, such as: demeanor of driver, condition of vehicle, and makeup of the officer.

Faulconer is not releasing the study to the public at this time. He said he wants to analyze the details of the study and plans to release it in a meeting on November 30.

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