"This sends a strong message that the state of Missouri simply does not tolerate racial profiling," Blunt said. "I am encouraged that more local departments are complying with our reporting requirements but I will not be satisfied until we have full compliance."
The governor has authority to withhold Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) funds from local law enforcement agencies that have failed to file required information with the attorney general. This year, the governor has withheld $3,909 total from nine law enforcement agencies compared with $7,548 total from 18 law enforcement agencies last year. In 2004, the state withheld $7,200 from 16 law enforcement agencies.
The following agencies will not receive POST funding this fiscal year: Belle Police Department, Birch Tree Police Department, Bismarck Police Department, Bland Police Department, Eminence Police Department, Golden City Police Department, Lowry Police Department, Wellington Police Department, and Winfield Police Department.
Missouri peace officers are required to report the following information every time they stop a motor vehicle: age, sex and race of driver; reason for stop; if a search was conducted and the individual consented to the search; whether anything was discovered during the search; was a warning or ticket issued; what was the offense if a ticket was issued; was the individual arrested as a result of the stop and crime charged; and the location of the stop. Statutes require local law enforcement agencies to collect the information and submit it to the attorney general. The attorney general uses the information to prepare an annual report on racial profiling.
The only law enforcement agencies that can be penalized for not reporting the information are those that contribute and apply for POST funding.
