There is undoubtedly a racial profiling problem in Missouri.
African-Americans drivers were stopped at a rate 75 percent higher than whites in 2016.
African-Americans were 1.57 times more likely to be searched than whites, and Hispanics were 1.52 times more likely than whites to be searched -- despite the fact that blacks and Hispanics are less likely than whites to have contraband.
That’s why we support the bipartisan Fourth Amendment Affirmation Act.
HB 2172, introduced by Rep. Shamed Dogan (R-Ballwin), and SB 828, introduced by Sen. Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis), add commonsense measures that create accountability.
The Fourth Amendment Affirmation Act:
- Prohibits discriminatory policing and requires law enforcement agencies to put policies in place to eliminate discrimination in policing.
- Creates accountability by requiring law enforcement agencies to review their vehicle stop data yearly as well as complaints received by the agency and report back to the community.
- Requires that officers who police unfairly face discipline, as well as counseling and training.
- Mandates that officers ask for consent to search someone in easily understood terms. Officers also must document when a person gave permission for the search. Searches can only take place when an officer has specific facts that lead them to ask a person for consent to search.
- Establishes a procedure for putting law enforcement agencies under review from the Missouri Attorney General.
- Redirects revenue from fines and fees to additional training if a law enforcement agency demonstrates consistently high numbers of discriminatory stops.
Sign our petition and let lawmakers know reforming racial profiling is a priority.