Racial Disparity Analysis & Monitoring
For more than 25 years, we have developed and contributed to the science of racial disparity research and analysis in policing. We have worked with the courts, USDOJ, and most often with agencies themselves to help them better understand and respond to patterns of disparity in critical police outcomes such as the use of force, stops, searches, and arrests. We don't use the census as a benchmark because that's bad science. Instead, we help agencies collect the right data, compare it to scientifically appropriate at-risk populations, communicate those results transparently to external stakeholders, and work toward more equitable outcomes over time if disparities are found.
Case Study - San Jose, CA
In 2016, community concerns over possible racial profiling by the San Jose Police Department were high. The city's independent police auditor contracted with members of our team to analyze 30 months of SJPD stop data to identify patterns of racial or ethnic disparity. We obtained data on traffic stops, pedestrian stops, and stop outcomes (e.g. searches, seizures, arrests) across a broad range of police activities. We also met with community interests groups, business associations, and conducted focus groups and ride-alongs with officers. After 18 months, we found some evidence of disparity but not as much as some stakeholder groups believed. Importantly, our analysis also debunked some myths about who the San Jose police were stopping and why. We found no systematic evidence of the targeting of minority groups by the SJPD, yet we also found things that the police could have done better and things they could improve upon moving forward. Our report contained a concrete series of recommendations on data collection and analysis (some of which were later incorporated into the California RIPA law) , training, and community engagement that SJPD leadership could work toward. We presented our findings to the same community groups we initially met with who had shared their concerns with us, and later, we shared our findings and recommendations with the San Jose City Council and Mayor. The city's effort in seeking an independent, credible analysis of its police data helped diffuse the concerns of some of the more vocal police critics in the city, not because the SJPD was perfect, but because it shone a light on a perceived problem, and the resulting analysis helped reduce community tensions.
Evidence-Based Disparity Analysis & Evaluation
We bridge the gap between perception and reality. Sentinel Strategies Group provides U.S. law enforcement agencies, city leaders, and external stakeholders with the information needed to evaluate whether racial and ethnic disparities in policing exist in their communities and how to address them. Our best in class methodology focuses on identifying disparities, implementing monitoring and management tools, and evaluating outcomes to ensure high-integrity public safety. Please see our Dashboard Page for more information on our custom monitoring tool.
Integrity-Driven Policing
Measurable Impact
Align operational activities with constitutional standards and community expectations.
Continuous evaluation of strategic change to ensure disparity reduction and public safety.
Reduce the risk of court-ordered oversight or expensive litigation. Improve community trust. Partner with Sentinel Strategies Group to foster transparency and integrity.
Lead with Integrity
Empower your agency with the tools needed to identify and manage racial and ethnic disparities across your operations, reduce risk, and foster community trust. Sentinel Strategies Group is the most experienced and credible team in the country in this arena. We work with U.S. law enforcement, city leadership, and external stakeholders to implement science-driven data analytics and evidence-based disparity management strategies.