ACLU of Michigan Racial Justice Attorney Mark Fancher sent the new Michigan State Police Director Col. Joe Gasper a letter, making four recommendations, namely asking the MSP to hire an expert to analyze their traffic stop data, and put to rest whether their troopers are engaging in racial profiling.
Based on Fancher’s several-year review of data we obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, we are concerned. We are also encouraged that smaller police departments, including in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, have hired traffic stop consultant experts who, in part, discovered racial profiling and identified equitable policies.
This new MSP administration is an opportunity to make significant changes and improvements in Michigan’s policing.
