New stats show drivers perceived to be Middle Eastern or black more likely to be pulled over

_ (press release) _

(Ottawa)-The results of the Traffic Stop Race Data Collection Project (TSRDCP) were released today by the York University Research Team.

The studyhttps://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news-and-community/Traffic-Stop-Race-Data-Collection-ProjectTSRDCP.asp examines the relationship between race, sex, age and traffic stops conducted by the Ottawa Police Service between June 27, 2013 and June 26, 2015.

“We have received the report, and we are committed to working with the community and our members to better understand the information and develop an action plan that contributes to our bias-neutral policing efforts,” said Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau. “I would like to thank front-line officers for carrying out this groundbreaking study and for showing leadership on this issue.”

The study examines 81,902 traffic stops where officers recorded their perception of the driver’s race: 69.3% White (56,776), 12.3% Middle Easterner (10,066), 8.8% Black (7,238), 4.7% E.Asian/SE Asian (3,875), 2.7% S. Asian (2,195), 1.9% Other racialized minorities (1,545), and .3% Indigenous Peoples (207).

See the Executive Summaryhttps://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/about-us/resources/.TSRDCP_York_Research_Report_Summary.pdf from the researchers.

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As the Research Team has made clear throughout this project, the report does not conclude racial profiling.

However, the study does provide important information that will be further examined in partnership with the community.

“The Ottawa Police Services Board is committed to respecting human rights and to bias-neutral policing,” said Ottawa Police Services Board Chair Eli El-Chantiry. “Our goal is to use the findings and recommendations of this study to strengthen the service the police provide to the community. We will stay connected with our community partners and continue to consult with the public going forward.”

The project is the result of a 2012 settlement agreement between the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the Ottawa Police Services Board. The Ottawa Police agreed to collect race based data for traffic stops. The data collection was made based on the perception of race by police officers of the driver.

“Following today’s release, community-police engagement will continue to play a critical role to ensure that we understand the report, review the recommendations and create a multi-year plan that goes beyond action planning the report’s recommendations,” added Chief Bordeleau.

The first of these sessions will take place with the York University Research Team on the evening of November 24th.

An additional session is also being planned for February 28th.

Project updates and opportunities to stay engaged are available online at ottawapolice.ca/racehttp://www.ottawapolice.ca/race.

All materials related to the Traffic Stop Race Data Collection Project can be found at ottawapolice.ca/racehttp://www.ottawapolice.ca/race.