Disproportionate Minority Contact Study

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As part of the Iowa City Police Department's ongoing efforts to ensure fair and equitable policing, the Department has collected demographic data on traffic stops. From 2006 to 2020, that data was analyzed by Dr. Christopher Barnum, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Saint Ambrose University.

In 2023, the Police Department entered into an agreement with the Public Policy Center at the University of Iowa to continue the analysis of traffic stop data. The Public Policy Center has proposed a traffic study that implements several strategies that may bolster the current understanding of racial disparities in Iowa City traffic stops. The goal of the study is to present a holistic, comprehensive evaluation intended to complement past analyses of Iowa City traffic stop disparities. This traffic study will support the Department’s continued commitment to eliminating racial profiling, heightening awareness of implicit bias, and building trust and respect between law enforcement and all communities and persons in Iowa City. Working with the University of Iowa Public Policy Center additionally supports the ICPD’s desire to work with community partners and invest in local collaborations.

Previous Findings

Using data from 2019 and 2020 traffic stop behavior, Barnum’s most-recent study found steady or decreasing amounts of disproportionality in traffic stops. The study also found “comparatively low levels of disproportionality” in outcomes for citations. While higher levels of disproportionality were noted in arrest outcomes, Barnum’s study noted almost all arrests involved offenses in which the officer had “little or no choice in deciding to make an arrest.”

“Disproportionality continues to decline in the Iowa City Police Department, but the effort needs to continue,” said Chief Dustin Liston. “The ongoing work with Dr. Barnum has been critical to identifying potential issues and working on solutions. The police department maintains its commitment to fair and impartial policing by monitoring any possible disparities and addressing potential issues.”