Police stop minority drivers every day simply because of their appearance, a demeaning practice that makes people lose confidence in law enforcement, community leaders from around the state said yesterday in San Diego. But the only way to examine the issue is to require that all law enforcement agencies in California record the race and ethnicity of every motorist they stop, the speakers told a state panel. Only a fraction of the agencies, including the San Diego Police Department, collect such information voluntarily.
Data allows communities to determine what law enforcement agencies are doing.
Without it all you have are good intentions. Alexander urged municipalities around the state to follow San Diego's lead. She was among civil rights, law enforcement and community leaders who made presentations to the One California Commission that gathered in San Diego yesterday. Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante to study the state's changing demographics and recommend ways to promote diversity. Latinos and African-Americans have complained that police routinely stop them for questioning because of their appearance.