This article describes a traffic stop study in Riverside, California, with an effort to identify evidence of racial profiling. Racial profiling was defined using the California Statute, which is limited relative to other definitions. All traffic stops for 2003 were examined. The data were disaggregated into stops made by the traffic unit and stops made by patrol and investigative units. No disparity was found in the traffic unit stops, but there was minority over-representation in the patrol and investigative stops, but differences were not statistically significant. The patrol and investigative stops were then correlated with the crime and calls for service for the department’s 133 reporting districts, which produced high correlations. Race and ethnicity of those stopped were correlated with racial and ethnic suspect information in the reporting districts, and it was found that there were high correlations. In addition, the dispositions of stops were examined by race and ethnicity.
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