Data Collection Key Findings:
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Of agencies that responded to TCJC’s open records request for a copy of their data in 2005, 16% of agencies did not report all basic stop and search data elements required by S.B. 1074.[i] Approximately 21% of agencies did not report on required racial data for each required data element.[i]
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Also in 2005, more than 20% of all agencies did not report using any data auditing procedures or audio-video review to ensure against human or technical errors or data tampering.[i]
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Throughout each year of coalition data collection, several departments have failed to respond to initial or follow-up open records requests for data within the period of time required by law.[i]
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Law enforcement agencies have begun to recognize that data collection, analysis, and findings can be valuable. Some supervisors have expressed that, had they understood the positive impact of proper data collection and use sooner, they would have changed internal policies earlier to mirror those already implemented by other agencies for the sake of efficiency and productivity.
[i]Molly Totman. “Searching for Consent. An Analysis of Racial Profiling Data in Texas.” The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition. 2006.