Jan 3, 2025 Story by: Editor
A new report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) confirms that traffic stops remain the primary reason for police-initiated contact across all racial groups in the U.S. The report, part of an ongoing series examining police interactions with American residents since 1996, highlights the continuing racial disparities in these encounters.
According to the BJS data, Black drivers are more than twice as likely as drivers from other racial groups to be searched or arrested during a traffic stop. Furthermore, Black individuals are over three times as likely as white individuals to experience the use of force during their most recent interaction with law enforcement. While Black people make up only 12% of those whose most recent police contact was related to a traffic stop or accident, they account for one-third of those reporting being threatened or experiencing nonfatal use of force.
Trends for Older Adults and Women
The report also sheds light on concerning trends regarding the use of force against older adults and women. In 2022, people aged 65 or older represented 5% of those who faced the threat or use of force, a stark rise from just 0.4% in 2015. This tenfold increase suggests that even older adults are not immune to rising levels of police aggression.
Women also face an increasing risk of force during police encounters. In 1999, women represented only 13% of individuals subjected to police force. By 2022, that number had grown to 28%. Women who experienced force were more likely than men to perceive it as excessive, with 51% of women reporting excessive force compared to 44% of men.
Persistent Disparities Across Age Groups
Young adults, particularly those aged 18-24, were found to be the most likely group to experience police contact. In 2022, 25% of young adults reported an encounter with law enforcement, with 15% of those interactions being initiated by the police. Alarmingly, more than 1 in 5 individuals who experienced the threat or use of force in their most recent police interaction were between 16 and 24 years old.
The Prison Policy Initiative highlighted that such police interactions can often lead to life-threatening situations, noting that over 70% of police killings in 2023 originated from non-violent incidents or situations where no crime had been reported.
Systemic Issues and Data Gaps
Officials from the Prison Policy Initiative have also pointed out 22 critical gaps in criminal legal system data, publishing a “wish list” of missing information. This includes data on arrests for technical violations, healthcare quality in correctional facilities, and outcomes of pretrial supervision. The lack of these data hinders efforts to fully understand and address the criminal justice system’s impact.
The Case for Alternatives to Policing
The available data also suggest that many police encounters could be handled more effectively through alternative community resources. In 2022, nearly 30 million people initiated contact with police, but only half of these interactions were related to reporting potential crimes. Many individuals sought help for non-criminal emergencies such as medical issues, car accidents, or quality-of-life concerns. A 2022 analysis of 911 calls in major cities revealed that just 4% involved violent crimes. This suggests a need for greater investment in community-based services to help reduce the risks associated with police interventions.
The Path Forward
While some officials noted that the decline in police contact could reduce opportunities for abuse, they also emphasized that racial disparities in policing remain deeply entrenched. “Just because the sheer number of police interactions was lower than it has been in decades does not mean the problems with our nation’s fraught system of policing are solved,” the Prison Policy Initiative stated in its release. “Racial disparities in police interactions, misconduct, and use of force remain pervasive and demand immediate attention.” Source: Miami Times Online
