STEPHENVILLE, Texas — The Institute for Predictive Analytics in Criminal Justice (IPAC) at Tarleton State University has published its annual report on racial profiling data in Texas.

The Sandra Bland Act (effective September 2019) provides an annual robust dataset on the state of racial profiling in Texas. Each year, IPAC has analyzed the data and published its findings. Now with several years of data, researchers at IPAC are able to notice consistent patterns in the annual racial profiling data.

Beginning in 2022, IPAC also published findings on relative risk and typologies. The relative risk section generates easy-to-understand context for each of the variables analyzed. The typologies section translates statewide data into information similar to that reported by Texas law enforcement agencies. This makes comparing existing agency data against typical data much easier.

“This report on racial profiling data in policing offers another year of analysis while adding to the emerging context on the issue of racial profiling in Texas,” said Dr. Alex del Carmen, Associate Dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts and the founder and director of IPAC. “The report generates actionable recommendations for legislators and the law enforcement executives to consider in an attempt to continue improving on the prevention of racial profiling practices.”

Among the significant findings in this year’s research:

— Hispanic Contraband Hit Rates. Similar to previous years, research showed Hispanics were more likely to be searched but less likely to be found in possession of contraband. Hispanics were 1.5 times more likely than Whites to be searched; however, the contraband hit rate for Hispanics was 34.4%, compared to 45.6% for Whites.

— Relative Risk of Citations for Minorities. Both Blacks and Hispanics were slightly more likely than Whites to receive a citation. Blacks were 1.1 times more likely and Hispanics 1.24 times more likely than Whites to receive a citation.

— Relative Risk of Consent Search of Minorities. Blacks were 1.21 times more likely than Whites to be subjected to consent search. Hispanics were 1.09 times more likely. Due to their discretionary nature, consent searches are more sensitive to racial profiling.

Researchers recommend that law enforcement agencies be required to disclose more granular data regarding consent searches.

First, IPAC suggests agencies report all consent search denials. This would capture the demographic data on those who lawfully decline a consent search, providing another area that could be evaluated for racial profiling. Secondly, researchers recommend that contraband discoveries be disaggregated by search type to fully evaluate the effectiveness of consent searches. 

The full report is available at https://web.tarleton.edu/ipac/.

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.