Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

Racial profiling is a challenge facing most communities across the country. To guarantee equal protection under the law and the right to be free from unreasonable seizures and searches, a number of states have adopted the anti-racial profiling act. Using North Carolina stop and search data, this study explores the treatment by police of motorists of different races, age, gender, regions, and generations and assesses the effectiveness of the anti-racial profiling policy. In addition, this study conducted generational, gender, regional, and racial equity impact analyses. The findings of this study are as follows. First, the number of total traffic stops in North Carolina has decreased since North Carolina adopted the anti-racial profiling policy. Second, the percentage of total stops of Blacks was higher than their relative proportion in the total population. Third, the percentage of total stops of Whites were lower than their relative proportion in the total population. Fourth, the percentage of searches to stops of Blacks was higher than that of Whites. Fifth, the percentage of searches to stops of Hispanics was also higher than that of Whites. Sixth, Hispanic motorists were more likely to receive a traffic citation on a traffic stop than other races. The results of generational and gender equity analysis reveal that the highest age range of its prevalence in North Carolina was of Black males between the ages of 20-24. From the social equity perspective, inequities among young African American men are derived from stereotyping of young Blacks as prone to criminality. The results of regional equity impact analysis show that traffic stops by the police is likely to result in a vehicle search in areas in which Black population is dominant. From a social equity perspective, these practices are regional or geographic discrimination based on the region where people live. In this case, higher traffic stops in the neighborhood with higher crime rates were based on prejudices against specific regions. There are several policy implications of this study. First, most stakeholders should be involved when making the anti-racial profiling policy and act. Second, policy makers should consider developing independent audit programs to ensure fairness and effectiveness of policy and act. Third, providing a variety of traffic stop information and data to the public is required. Fourth, traffic stop annual report should provide details of findings and be written clearly enough that most citizens can read and understand. Fifth, police officers should be trained to communicate to citizens why they are being stopped or searched.