Data Collection & Analysis: Lessons Learned Recommendations from Civil Rights Litigation
Ensure consistent supervision and officer accountability for complying with law and policy
- Establish a system for regular review of documentation and video within the specific timeframes outlined in departmental policies
Complete reports for all types of investigatory stops or detentions conducted
- Document whether they result in an arrest or issuance of citation
- Avoid conclusory language in reports and documentation
Record all types of investigatory stops and detentions on body-worn cameras and/or vehicle video equipment, if applicable
- Regardless of whether they result in an arrest or issuance of citation
Consistent documentation of all investigatory stops and detentions should include:
- Officer name and ID number
- Date, time, location, and duration of the stop
- Race, ethnicity, gender, and age of the subject (for all subjects stopped, if applicable)
- Individualized description of the incident and facts that established reasonable suspicion
- Whether a pat-down or frisk was conducted and why
- Whether the investigatory stop or detention began as a voluntary contact
- Whether the subject(s) were required to exit their vehicle during a vehicle stop and why
- Whether the officer approached the vehicle with their service weapon drawn
- Disposition of the stop
Complete reports within the timeframes outlined by departmental policies
Gather and analyze investigatory stops and detentions data
- Assess whether law enforcement activities are having disparate impacts on specific groups of community residents
Analyze stop and detention data on a regular basis (annually is preferred)
Make an analysis of data, departmental policies, and reports available to the public
- These reports could also be posted online when reasonable
The information provided above has come directly from the consent decree language, which can be accessed by clicking on each corresponding city’s consent decree. When additional information was needed, subject-matter experts from the Department of Justice provided input. This information is intended to guide departments on decisions and actions to improve their Constitutional policing practices. Additional resources and information may be needed to implement these recommendations successfully. For assistance in implementing recommendations, contact the Knowledge Lab team.