WHEREAS, there has been an increased amount of media and special interest attention to allegations of bias by law enforcement officers; and

WHEREAS, this has resulted in numerous attempts to pass legislation that requires law enforcement to record the race of persons they stop for traffic infractions, reasonable suspicion of criminal activities or proactive law enforcement and traffic safety purposes; and

WHEREAS, determination of an individual’s race based solely on personal observation is subjective and, in our multi-cultural society, frequently impossible; and

WHEREAS, asking an individual his/her race may heighten tensions in interactions between law enforcement officers and the public; and

WHEREAS, implementing data collection and analysis requirements of such legislation requires significant expenditures for personnel and equipment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that it is the position of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Division of State and Provincial Police that any legislation requiring law enforcement agencies to collect racial data during traffic stops or other law enforcement activities should also require that drivers’ licenses include a self-designated race identifier; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is the position of the IACP Division of State and Provincial Police that all such legislation should include full funding for the equipment and personnel needed to comply with the legislative requirements.