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Document Type

Restricted Access Paper

Publication Date

Fall 12-5-2013

Abstract

While there is a great deal of data concerning the unjust results of police behavior in New York, we were curious how police policies that fall under Terry stops and Stop and ID laws affect the three municipalities that Washington University lies in: Clayton, University City, St. Louis Metro as well as Washington University itself. Missouri Sunshine Law states that all law enforcement agencies in Missouri must keep records regarding suspected crimes, accidents or complaints, and these records must be available to the public. [1] Descriptions of these incidents must include information about the initial time, date and location of the incident as well as the name and age of any victim and the factual circumstances surrounding the event. When a member of the public files a request to access these records, the police are legally required to oblige. It was with this understanding of the Sunshine Law that we began to make contact with the four different police departments. We were hoping to access data regarding the number and the nature of complaints filed against the police in those four areas during 2012 in order to determine if there was any police bias (real or perceived) against individuals of a certain racial group. [1] Missouri Sunshine Law, Section 610.010 to 610.200

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