NEW TRAFFIC-STOP RECORDS WILL PROVIDE USEFUL DATA

Before pulling over a motorist, a police officer should have good reason for doing so. Simply not liking the look of someone is not a reasonable cause for suspicion.

After an investigation revealed that New Jersey State Police inappropriately targeted racial minorities for traffic stops, law enforcement agencies throughout the country have had to deal with the issue of racial profiling.

Although most police departments deny employing the practice, many minorities have described being pulled over solely for driving while black. Or Hispanic. Or Asian.

The Missouri General Assembly tackled the issue this year with the passage of Senate Bill 1053. Gov. Mel Carnahan signed the measure into law June 5. The new law requires all law enforcement officers in the state to keep detailed records of traffic stops. Information officers must note include:

- The age, gender and race of those stopped.

- The alleged violation leading to stops.

- The location of stops.

- Whether or not a citation is issued or an arrest made.

- Whether a search is conducted, if the driver consents to the search and if contraband is found.

Each law enforcement agency must submit its traffic-stop records to the attorney general, who will issue a yearly report on police practices. The law also prohibits police from "routinely" stopping minorities "as a pretext for investigating other violations of criminal law." Agencies that demonstrate a pattern of racial profiling risk loss of state funding. Individual officers who target minorities are subject to counseling and sensitivity training.

Proponents of the law say the reporting system will determine if racial profiling occurs in Missouri and, if so, the extent of the problem. Opponents, including Cape Girardeau Police Chief Rick Hetzel and Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan, say the requirements will drain already limited law enforcement resources.

While filling out the reports will take a small amount of officers' time, it is unlikely to cost so much as to greatly affect law enforcement budgets. Indeed, some departments, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, already collect the data.

There are valid concerns that findings could be misinterpreted to indicate a problem where none exists, and state officials should watch closely to ensure this doesn't occur. However, departments that claim they don't engage in racial profiling should welcome the new law. If the statistics reflect their claims, they will have hard data to refute accusations of unfair treatment of minorities. And, as always, the more information the public has on the practices of taxpayer-funded agencies, the better.