Southeast Michigan Criminal Justice Policy Research Project - SMART

07/10/2023

See our final report on racial disparities in AAPD traffic stops, as well as select media coverage, at https://www.threads.net/t/Cuhco70LVyl/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

06/30/2023

We are very happy to announce that a product of over two years of collaboration between SMART researchers, the Ann Arbor Police Department, and Ann Arbor's Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC) is available for public consumption.

In February 2021 SMART was approached to conduct an independent analysis of AAPD traffic stops, to look especially for evidence of disparities in the frequency, type, and outcomes of those stops. The project ultimately involved dozens of hours of work planning, education, and orientation that enabled shared learning and recognition of mutual goals between each partner. It is the kind of work made possible through sustained partnerships between public universities with regional commitments and those municipal and community organizations willing to trust and work with them. The result of this particularly extensive and sustained collaboration is the most robust and nuanced analysis of disparities in traffic stops in the history of the City of Ann Arbor. It is the first such analysis to incorporate several years of traffic stop data, which in turn enabled a more nuanced and specific analysis of existing disparities. Most specifically, this analysis is the first of its kind for the City of Ann Arbor that was able to cross-tabulate race and gender in order to highlight the specific dynamics of those dimensions. It is also the first such analysis that was able to offer a more nuanced lens onto disparities in particular types of stops and post-stop outcomes, additional dimensions that became essential for our overall conclusions. We are especially appreciative of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan's Community Policing Innovations Initiative, which provided partial support at a crucial stage of the project.

The results of our analysis identified significant disparities across every dimension examined, with non-white motorists being Stopped and Searched more frequently and White motorists being Stopped and Searched less frequently than would be expected in every instance. These disparities were not uniform across racial categories nor across various Reasons for Contact. The largest disparities identified in this analysis involve Multi-Racial and African-American male drivers for stops initiated for Equipment Violations (which occurred 2.41x more likely than would be expected) as well as for Searches after the initial stop (which occurred between 5.4x to 3.65x more often than would be expected).

We invite you to read the full report, which is now available at

Project Overview

06/29/2023

https://www.wemu.org/wemu-news/2023-06-28/traffic-stops-by-ann-arbor-police-show-racial-disparities-according-to-three-year-analysis

Non-white men were more likely to be stopped for minor traffic violations and more likely to be searched by police. These are just some of the results of a draft report of three years' worth of traffic stop data from the Ann Arbor Police Department. WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports.

06/28/2023

This is the product of over two years of sustained collaboration between multiple community organizations and academic researchers. A true model for how to move from a shared social challenge to developing solutions. We’re so happy it’s moving forward to see the light of day.

Study of Ann Arbor police traffic stops finds racial disparities

04/17/2023

12/01/2021

Excellent discussion between Southeast Michigan Criminal Justice Policy Research Project - SMART Director Kevin Karpiak and Concentrate's "On the Ground Ypsilanti" about our efforts to support the work of civilian oversight at Eastern Michigan University and in Washtenaw County

A recent grant will help an Eastern Michigan University policy research project expand its mission to address racial bias and develop best practices for public safety departments and their oversight commissions.

11/24/2021

Lots of recent news coverage of our work! This time in The Eastern Echo

The SMART project, assembled by a team of Eastern Michigan University faculty, aims to address patterns in policing and public safety. 

11/17/2021

More coverage of Southeast Michigan Criminal Justice Policy Research Project - SMART's work with Ann Arbor's Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC) and Ann Arbor PD in mLive

A research study of potential police bias in traffic stops in Ann Arbor is getting a funding boost

11/11/2021

More news coverage of SMART's projects, this time on MLive

The initiative is funded by grants from an organization committed to addressing racial inequities.

11/10/2021

The current issue of EMU Today showcases some of the community-led projects SMART is currently facilitating. Read the article, and check out SMART's website directly to learn more

Community-led transformation will lead to best practices in policing and public safety services