Frequently Asked Questions

Under RIPA AB953, a "stop" refers to any interaction where a peace officer detains a person or conducts a search. This includes vehicle stops, pedestrian stops, and any instances where an individual is not free to leave.

RIPA promotes transparency, which contributes to fair and unbiased law enforcement practices. The information gathered enables communities to hold law enforcement agencies accountable and promotes the creation of regulations that prohibit racial and identity profiling.

The law has had mixed impacts. It has increased transparency and accountability, fostering trust among some communities. However, some law enforcement officers feel that the additional reporting requirements are burdensome. Overall, it has opened dialogue and created more data for assessing and improving policing practices.

The data is used for research and analysis by the RIPA Board and other agencies to identify patterns of racial profiling, assess compliance with civil rights protections, and provide recommendations for law enforcement training and policy adjustments.

You can choose between a self-developed system, a vendor-provided system, or the DOJ's Stop Data Collection System. Each option should meet RIPA reporting requirements, ensuring accurate data collection and secure transmission to the DOJ in the required format. Developing a self-hosted web application is recommended, as it allows your agency to control its data fully and create custom reports customized to specific needs. This option provides flexibility in data management and reporting, enhancing your ability to analyze data for internal insights and compliance.

A checkpoint or roadblock, such as a DUI sobriety checkpoint, is not considered a "stop" under RIPA AB953 reporting requirements if it stops all vehicles or selects vehicles based on a neutral formula (like stopping every third vehicle) rather than on individualized suspicion or personal characteristics. In such cases, officers are not required to collect or report data for each vehicle or individual stopped.

Officers must collect data such as the date, time, and location of the stop; the perceived race or ethnicity, gender, and age of the person stopped; the reason for the stop; actions taken during the stop (such as searches or arrests); and the result of the stop. Officers record their perceptions and are not required to ask individuals for this information directly.

All law enforcement agencies in California are required to collect and report data on stops. This includes state and local police departments, sheriffs' offices, and other law enforcement entities. Agencies with 1,000 or more officers began reporting first, with smaller agencies phased in over time.