Date: 08/18/2015
Final
Overview of Data Collection by Local Law Enforcement
PROFILING INTERIM COMMITTEE
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1:05 PM -- Overview of Data Collection by Local Law Enforcement
The committee returned to order. Representative Williams explained what the committee would be considering in its discussion with representatives of law enforcement. Chief John Jackson, Greenwood Village Police Department, Deputy Chief Paul O'Keefe, Aurora Police Department, Chief David Montgomery, Firestone Police Department, and Deputy Chief Matt Murray, Denver Police Department, addressed the committee on current practices for collecting data on law enforcement-initiated stops. Chiefs Montgomery and Jackson explained current practices for collecting data on law enforcement stops of members of the public. Chief Jackson discussed the types of data gathered by police departments regarding stops. Deputy Chief O'Keefe provided input on data collection, and explained how the Aurora Police Department processes complaints about police conduct. Deputy Chief Murray weighed in on data collection practices by the Denver Police Department. Deputy Chief Murray responded to questions regarding data collection associated with police stops.
01:15 PM
Discussion ensued regarding data collection capabilities at the local level in terms of technology and records management systems, and the ability to extract data from current systems. Chief Jackson discussed certain difficulties that may be experienced by law enforcement in tabulating law enforcement contacts with the public, and differences across police departments in accessing data based on differing technologies. Discussion followed regarding the types of technologies that would be required by police departments to satisfy the data collection practices sought by the committee.
01:32 PM
Senator Ulibarri provided a demographic profile of his Senate district, and discussed the relationship between the public and law enforcement in his community. Deputy Chief Murray addressed earlier discussion about a pair of studies conducted in Denver pertaining to ethnic and racial profiling. He also noted a book that addresses the roots of community distrust of police, and discussed problems that may be experienced by law enforcement in collecting data on police stops. Discussion ensued regarding ways in which racial and ethnic profiling can both be tracked and addressed.
01:43 PM
Representative Salazar discussed a recent attack in Denver, and the police department's handling of information surrounding the case. Discussion ensued regarding how best to accomplish the objectives found in the committee's mission.
01:55 PM
Discussion ensued regarding the ability to instill community policing practices in order to create better law enforcement/community relations, and barriers to community policing. Discussion followed regarding the reactivity of collecting data on police stops, and the need to collect data on police stops to address the issue of ethnic and racial profiling. Discussion centered around profiling and crime in certain jurisdictions.
02:06 PM
Discussion returned to community policing practices, community trust of law enforcement, and recruitment of police officers from within the community. Discussion then returned to the types of data collection technologies that might allow local police departments to gather the types of data sought by the committee.
02:21 PM
Discussion continued regarding ways that police departments might collect demographic data associated with police stops. Discussion ensued regarding the impact of the race of a police officer on the collection of demographic data. Discussion returned to practical demographic data collection during law enforcement-initiated stops, and certain issues that may arise under the practices.
02:30 PM
Sheriff Steve Reams, Weld County, Mr. Chris Johnson, County Sheriffs of Colorado, and Ms. Janet Huffor, Chief of Staff for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, addressed the committee on data collection practices by law enforcement when making citizen stops. Sheriff Reams discussed the practices observed by his office, and Ms. Huffor discussed El Paso County's practices. Ms. Huffor also discussed her office's attempts to improve relations with the community. Ms. Huffor responded to questions regarding the unwillingness of people in her community to divulge personal information. Mr. Johnson address questions raised earlier about potential recruitment of law enforcement personnel from within the community, and community/law enforcement relations in general.
02:41 PM
Sheriff Reams addressed earlier discussion about the potential for creating a system for law enforcement stop data collection based on the person being stopped filling out a demographic card. Ms. Huffor addressed certain questions raised during earlier discussions about the potential for unintended consequences to arise out of data collection practices. Sheriff Reams discussed a system that would allow collection of demographic data by swiping a driver's license. Mr. Johnson weighed in on this issue.
02:51 PM
The committee adjourned.