LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan State Police (MSP) released the results of an 18-month independent evaluation aimed at uncovering reasons for racial disparities in traffic stops.
The evaluation, conducted by the independent consulting firm CNA, found that there was no evidence of widespread discriminatory policing practices by MSP.
MSP contracted CNA to do the evaluation after a previous study by Michigan State University found racial and ethnic disparities in the frequency and outcomes of traffic stops conducted by troopers in 2020.
Responding to the results of the study, MSP created a five-point plan to address the disparities, including the independent evaluation by CNA.
MSP's five-point plan included the following:
- Hiring an independent consulting firm to review MSP policies with an eye toward making recommendations for systemic changes that will address racial disparities.
- Launching a statewide listening and engagement effort, in partnership with the Bridges to B.L.U.E. Citizen Advisory Council, in which MSP leadership will engage in open and honest conversation with leaders from communities of color, surfacing problems and finding solutions together.
- Making more data available to MSP troopers through a dashboard that will provide real-time traffic stop data so they can learn about and adjust their actions.
- Ramping up educational opportunities for troopers and recruits through the creation of the department's Professional Development Bureau. This new bureau will provide training and development for enforcement members on familiar topics, as well as on new and emerging topics including mental health, wellness, de-escalation, cultural competency, decision-making, implicit bias and communication skills.
- Issuing body-worn cameras to all enforcement members who could have enforcement contact with Michigan residents and visitors.
CNA's evaluation of MSP used document reviews, targeted interviews, focus groups, ride-alongs and quantitative data analysis to produce their results. The evaluation resulted in a report that included 54 findings and recommendations for MSP.
MSP said that some of the findings highlighted strong policies and positive programs that should be expanded upon, and other findings and recommendations highlighted policies and programs that needed more attention and improvement.
“As a law enforcement agency, we are committed to fair and equitable policing,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “Although previous research conducted by the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University has identified the presence of racial and ethnic disparities in MSP traffic stops, the reasons for such disparities remain unknown. Discriminatory behavior is not an acceptable practice within this agency and anyone engaging in it will be addressed through training, discipline or termination, dependent on the circumstances of the incident."
MSP responded to the findings by CNA with a pledge to review its traffic stop data for the next five years:
The MSP is committed to unbiased policing and the equitable treatment of all persons. Department policy prohibits stopping or detaining anyone based solely on their race or ethnicity.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, the MSP modified its reporting system to capture the race of persons encountered during traffic stops. Enforcement members record race/origin information from visual observation. If the enforcement member cannot determine the driver's race, the enforcement member may enter the race as unknown.
In 2021, the MSP began a research partnership with the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University (MSU) to explore racial and ethnic disparities in our traffic stop data. In 2023, the MSP reinforced this commitment by pledging reviews of its traffic stop data for the next five years to further our understanding of the data and possibly begin to identify trends over time.
You can find more information relating to MSP's traffic stop data here.
"Today, as always, we reaffirm our commitment to the highest standards of anti-discrimination education and training and always look to serve Michigan to the best of our ability,” Col. Grady II added.
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