RELEASE OF RACIAL PROFILING STATISTICS
As you are aware, on January 1, 2004, it became mandatory for all police departments in Illinois to record specific data pertaining to race from every traffic stop (commonly referred to as the racial profiling law). The law requires this data to be transmitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation for collection and analysis. The Illinois Department of Transportation publishes their annual report every summer. Because of the limited scope of data required to be collected, this report could generate many questions.
The report generated from traffic stop data submitted to the Illinois Department of transportation and analyzed by Northwestern University is being compared to city and county census data identifying the racial make up of our community. The 2000 census indicates the Village of Mundelein has a reported 31.07% minority population. The obvious flaw in using this type of census data is there is no statistical correlation when comparing the ratio of minority drivers stopped versus non-minority drivers. Mundelein roads are populated by vehicles driven from all over northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
To better understand these reports and get a clearer representation of the racial make up of drivers on our roads, it was necessary to develop additional internal benchmarks. For example, we have captured the racial background of all at-fault drivers involved in crashes occurring in Mundelein. Since Mundelein residents are not the only drivers involved in crashes occurring in Mundelein, we get a better picture of who is using our roads.
In 2007, there were 1,337 crashes reported to our department. Most crashes occur because of specific driving behaviors; therefore, an assumption can be made those same
drivers will continue to exhibit the same unsafe driving habits causing them to be stopped by a police officer. The following is the racial makeup of all at-fault drivers:
Race Number Percentage
White 802 60.0%
African American 20 1.5%
Hispanic 276 20.6%
Asian 66 4.9%
Middle Eastern 29 2.2%
American Indian 0 0.0%
Unknown* 144 10.8%
*The law does not allow police officers to ask an individual his or her race. According to the law, police officers must make an “educated guess” concerning the driver’s racial background. Unknown is selected when race is not easily identifiable or in the case of a hit-and-run crash.
In addition to the benchmarks mentioned above, we have also looked at the racial make up of traffic crash data for non-at fault drivers and all drivers involved in crashes.
In 2007, the Mundelein Police Department initiated 11,590 vehicle traffic stops. White drivers were stopped 8,404 times representing 72.5% of all traffic stops. Non-white drivers were stopped 3,186 times representing 27.5% of all traffic stops. Comparing the 2000 census data of 31.07% minority residents to 27.5% minority drivers actually stopped; there is no statistical disparity. As in 2006, three out of four drivers stopped in 2007 were white.
IDOT also requests data on consent searches. Out of the 11,590 traffic stops, the Mundelein Police Department requested permission to conduct a consent search 205 times or 1.7% of the total traffic stops. Permission was granted and consent searches were performed 192 times or 1.6%. (Similar to 2006 data, just over one out 100 traffic stops resulted in a consent search.)
Of the 8,404 white drivers that were stopped, white drivers were asked for permission to conduct a consent search 126 times or 1.5%. Permission was granted and a consent search was performed 118 times or 1.4% of white drivers were subject to a consent search. Of the 3,186 non-white drivers stopped, non-white drivers were asked for permission to conduct a consent search 79 times or 2.5%. Permission was granted and a consent search was performed 74 times or 2.3% of non-white drivers were subject to a consent search. Of the 118 consent searches performed on white drivers, 47 resulted in contraband being located or 39.8%. Of the 74 consent searches performed on non-white drivers, 23 resulted in contraband being located or 31.1%
Six other types of searches are performed: reasonable suspicion, probable cause, incident to arrest, custodial arrest, drug-dog alerts, and inventory.
Since the Illinois Department of Transportation study only identifies the driver’s race as white and non-white, the following chart represents a full breakdown by race:
White 8,003 69.1% 8,337 68.4%
African American 397 3.4% 377 3.1%
Native American 1 0% 1 0 %
Hispanic 2,173 18.7% 2,333 19.2%
Asian 615 5.3% 675 5.5%
Middle Eastern** 401 3.5% 459 3.8%
**Note: State of Illinois recognizes the Middle Eastern category as White.
The 2000 census data shows a minority population of 31.07% which closely mirrors the above traffic stop percentages.
After reviewing the above statistics utilizing the IDOT benchmark, our internal benchmarks and comparing 2006 data with 2007 data, it is clear that there is no evidence of racial profiling by the Mundelein Police Department. As stated in the attached public statement and letter which was sent to all residents in 2001 regarding the topic of racial profiling:
The members of the Mundelein Police Department reject racial profiling as a law enforcement tactic, and we will not encourage, tolerate, or condone its use by any of our members. We are committed to sound practices of bias-free policing based on reasonable suspicion, probable cause, and use of good discretion. Our purpose is to create the safest atmosphere for our customers (citizens of the community), promote and foster a positive working relationship with the community, and treat all individuals with dignity and respect. We are partners with the community that we serve and will act as a guardian of the people’s rights.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require additional information.