Journal of Law and Criminal Justice

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Stops: Race and the Perception of Bias
Paul B Vernon, Tamara J Lynn

Abstract
Headlines report allegations of racial disparity by law enforcement. Scholars support these claims, although with little empirical evidence. This research analyzes over 700,000 public contacts by the Los Angeles Police Department to evaluate levels of racial disparity using two benchmarks: 1) racial proportions of the general population of the city and 2) racial proportions of persons described in violent crime. The analysis includes review of a Los Angeles Times study that used the general population as the only benchmark. Assessing validity of benchmarks and implications for inexact comparisons is discussed. The findings demonstrate that disparity based on a population benchmark does not correlate as well as involvement in violent crime. This research offers examples of how disparity caused by discrimination can be mediated through public complaints and body-worn cameras.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jlcj.v9n1a11