Amends the comprehensive community-police relationship act of 2015 to require an annual study by an outside agency chosen by the department.
The bill mandates a structured process for data collection that will begin no later than January 1, 2025, with the intent of providing ongoing analysis of traffic stop practices over four years. Each municipal police department and the Rhode Island State Police will be required to compile detailed records of traffic stops, including demographics of the drivers and outcomes of the stops, and submit these reports annually to promote transparency. The data collected will be public but will not identify individual officers to protect their identities, thereby promoting honesty in reporting and accountability while conceding privacy concerns.
S2137 is a significant amendment to the Comprehensive Community-Police Relationship Act of 2015, focusing on enhancing police accountability through improved data collection concerning traffic stops and searches conducted by law enforcement in Rhode Island. This bill requires the Rhode Island Department of Transportation's Office of Highway Safety to conduct an annual study scrutinizing racial disparities in traffic stops. The study aims to determine how traffic stops and searches may disproportionately affect individuals based on their race, ethnicity, gender, and age. These findings will inform community and police relations, contributing to evidence-based reforms in policing practices.
Notably, this legislation has faced discussion regarding the complexities of managing law enforcement data and the implications of establishing community advisory committees to oversee the data collection process. While proponents argue that S2137 addresses critical issues of racial profiling and promotes equitable policing, critics may raise concerns about the feasibility of implementing such regulations without overburdening law enforcement agencies. The establishment of the twelve-member advisory committee, which will offer guidance and oversight related to the study and implementation of the bill, is a crucial aspect that reflects the legislative intent to foster collaboration between the police and the communities they serve.