In Oakland, More Data Hasn’t Meant Less Racial Disparity During Police Stops

For more than 15 years, Oakland’s police department has been under federal oversight following a police abuse and racial profiling scandal.

As part of a negotiated settlement in 2003, the city agreed to work toward sweeping police reforms. The Riders Settlement mandated ongoing monitoring of the department, including the collection of data on police stops and an end to discriminatory policing.

But there’s mounting frustration that federal oversight and better data collection have not led to real change, despite a massive price tag.