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.
We have been recording this data since 2000 and have had a bias-free policing policy in place since March 1, 2000. In addition to participating in the Illinois Department of Transportation study whose data is being collected by Northwestern University, we are also voluntarily participating in a broader data collection study by Northeastern University and sponsored by the Regional Institute of Community Policing.
The reports generated by the above studies are 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. This figure is a total of all minority drivers over the age of 15. 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 2005, there were 1,402 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 874 62.33%
African American 35 2.49%
Hispanic 250 17.83%
Asian 54 3.85%
Middle Eastern 28 1.99%
American Indian 1 .08%
Unknown* 160 11.41%
*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, all drivers involved in crashes, and crashes by driver’s zip code within a five-mile radius.
In 2005, the Mundelein Police Department initiated 9,868 vehicle traffic stops. White drivers were stopped 7,079 times representing 71.74% of all traffic stops. Non-white drivers were stopped 2,789 times representing 28.26% of all traffic stops. Comparing the 2000 census data of 31.07% minority residents to 28.26% minority drivers actually stopped; there is no statistical disparity. Overall, two out three drivers stopped in 2005 were white.
IDOT is also requesting data on consent searches. Out of the 9,868 traffic stops, the Mundelein Police Department performed 93 consent vehicle searches or .94%. (Less than one out of every 100 traffic stops resulted in a consent search.) White drivers were searched 65 times representing 69.89%. Non-white drivers were searched 28 times or 30.10%. Six other types of searches are performed: reasonable suspicion, probable cause, incident to arrest, custodial arrest, drug-dog alerts, and inventory. Also it should be noted that these numbers do not reflect the total number of consent search requests – only the number of individuals that consented to the officer searching their vehicle.
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:
Race Stopped Percentage
White 6,775 68.65%
African American 273 2.76%
Native American 0 0 %
Hispanic 2,025 20.52%
Asian 491 4.97%
Middle Eastern** 304 3.08%
**Note: State of Illinois recognizes the Middle Eastern category as White.
Race Stopped Percentage
White 6,999 67.48%
African American 307 2.96%
Native American 4 .04%
Hispanic 2,331 22.48%
Asian 462 4.46%
Middle Eastern** 269 2.60%
**Note: State of Illinois recognizes the Middle Eastern category as White.
Upon review of the 2000 census data (listed below), you will see our traffic stop percentages closely reflect the racial make up of the Village of Mundelein.
2000 Census Figures (30,935 population)
Race Percentage
African American 1.9%
Native American 0.6%
Hispanic 24.2%
Asian 7.2%
After reviewing the above statistics utilizing the IDOT benchmark, our internal benchmarks and comparing 2004 data with 2005 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.