LACP.org
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LAPD Stop Data - Meetings planned
Public is invited to attend and give comment

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LAPD Stop Data - Meetings planned
Public is invited to attend and give comment

by Bill Murray

January 18, 2005

For some time now the Los Angeles Police Department has been tracking ethnic, gender, and age information (along with info in many other categories) about pedestrians and occupants of vehicles its officers stop.

This is part of the Consent Decree and seeks to ensure the Department treats community folk fairly.

The public is now being invited to a series of meetings designed to explain how this data will be assessed ... and it's not as easy as it seems.

I attended a Police Commission meeting today and saw a PowerPoint presentation that described the types of information that's been gathered over the last few years ... and how it may be used.

It was also that there's a new set of webpages on the City website that will be devoted to the "LAPD Stops" project at www.lacity.org/lapdstops ... but here's essentially what it says below. The locale of the community meetings in late January and early February is also listed below, and I'd suggest that interested parties plan to attend:

Analysis of Los Angeles Police Department
Pedestrian and Motor Vehicle Stops

In late 2001, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) embarked upon a project of systematically collecting information on motor vehicle and pedestrian stops made by its officers (LAPD stop data). The City of Los Angeles is analyzing the LAPD stop data in an effort to further improve LAPD policies and practices. The analysis of the LAPD stop data is part of an ongoing effort to ensure effective, respectful and non-discriminatory policing.

The LAPD stop data analysis project has several phases and will require several months to complete. The LAPD stop data analysis project phases are summarized as follows:

Phase 1: Collection of Stop Data by LAPD

LAPD initiated pedestrian and motor vehicle stop data collection on November 1, 2002, and continues to collect such data, pursuant to a federal Consent Decree. On July 1, 2003, the LAPD form used to collect stop data (Field Data Report Form or FDR) was modified to improve the accuracy of the data collected by officers and to streamline the data collection process. LAPD stop data is posted on the LAPD website (www.LAPDonline.org) semi-annually.

Access to the LAPD stop data is also available by clicking here: http://www.lacity.org/cla/lsalsd1.htm

Phase 2: Development of a methodology to analyze the LAPD Stop Data

Step 1: In April 2004 the City contracted with Analysis Group, Inc. to conduct an expert, impartial analysis of the LAPD stop data. The analysis of the LAPD stop data is part of the City and LAPD’s continuing effort to improve police practices to better serve the public.

Step 2: Development of a proposed methodology by Analysis Group for how best to analyze LAPD stop data. The report will be released for a 30- day public comment period. Access to this report is available by clicking on “Reports” in the left column of this page. Public information and comment meetings will be held (click on “Public Meetings” in the left Column to view the meeting schedule).

Step 3: Development of a final methodology for the analysis of the LAPD stop data in consideration of all public comments received on the proposed analysis approach. Upon publication this document will be available under “Reports.”

Phase 3: Analysis of the Data

Step 1: Analysis Group will analyze the LAPD stop data pursuant to the final methodology developed.

Step 2: A report detailing the results of the analysis and any associated recommendations will be publicly released. Upon publication this document will be available under “Reports.” Public meetings will be scheduled to discuss the results and associated recommendations. It is currently anticipated that the results of the analysis will be available in summer/fall 2005.

Phase 4: Implementation of Recommendations


For more info contact:

Barbara Garrett
213 / 473-5749
.


LAPD STOP Data Analyses Methodology Public Meetings

The City of Los Angeles is currently reviewing a report prepared by Analysis Group, Inc., an independent contractor, which presents a proposal for how best to analyze LAPD stop data in an effort to further improve LAPD policies and practices. The analysis of the LAPD stop data is part of an ongoing effort to ensure effective, respectful and non-discriminatory policing. To assist in this review, the City invites public comment on the analysis proposal. Public meetings regarding the proposed analyses methodology will be held as follows:

Board of Police Commissioners

January 18, 2005, 9:30 a.m.
Commission Meeting Room
150 N. Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Public Safety Committee of the Los Angles City Council

January 24, 2005, 10:00 a.m.
Room 1010, City Hall
200 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Public Information and Comment Meetings

January 27, 2005, 7:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES)
Auditorium
5931 West 18th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90035

February 2, 2005, 7:00 p.m.
Exposition Park
Intergeneration Community Center
3980 South Menlo Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90037

February 3, 2005, 7:00 p.m.
Shepherd of the Hills Church
19700 Rinaldi Street
Porter Ranch, CA 91326

February 9, 2005, 7:00 p.m.
British Petroleum Plaza
In the Auditorium
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071