Thursday, October 6, 2005
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Governor Halts Payments to Local Law Enforcement Agencies for Failing to Report Racial Profiling Data
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today halted state payments to local law enforcement agencies who failed to provide racial profiling data to the state as required by law.
"These statutory requirements exist as a way to confirm that motorists are treated justly in our state," Blunt said. "I respect and deeply appreciate the sacrifices our law enforcement officers make to help keep us safe and believe the vast majority would agree with me that racial profiling is abhorrent and should not be tolerated."
The governor has authority to withhold Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) funds from local law enforcement agencies who have failed to file required information with the attorney general. The governor has approved withholding $7,548 total from 18 law enforcement agencies because of their failure to comply with Missouri Revised Statutes section 590.650. The following agencies will not receive POST funding this fiscal year: Brunswick Police Department; Dade County Sheriff’s Department; Diamond Police Department; East Lynne Police Department; Elsberry Police Department; Eminence Police Department; Gower Police Department; Hardin Police Department; Hawk Point Police Department; Jasper Police Department; Lowry City Police Department; Maysville Police Department; Montrose Police Department; Oran Police Department; Pleasant Hope Police Department; Sunrise Beach Police Department; Washburn Police Department; and Wright County Sheriff’s Department. The withholdings range from $74 to $500.
Missouri peace officers are required to report the following information every time they stop a motor vehicle: age, sex and race of driver; reason for stop; if a search was conducted and the individual consented to the search; whether anything was discovered during the search; was a warning or ticket issued; what was the offense if a ticket was issued; was the individual arrested as a result of the stop and crime charged; and the location of the stop. Statutes require local law enforcement agencies to collect the information and submit it to the attorney general. The attorney general uses the information to prepare an annual report on racial profiling.
Last year the state withheld $7,200 from 16 law enforcement agencies.
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