Activist: New law against racial profiling not strong enough
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/n...al/11487342.htm

TOPEKA, Kan. - Even before a new Kansas law against racial profiling by law enforcement officers takes effect, a civil rights activist is arguing that the statute won't be strong enough.

The new law, which will take effect July 1, will make it illegal for an officer to stop someone's vehicle and use a person's race, gender, ethnicity or national origin or religious dress as the only reason to frisk or search them or their vehicles and property.

But Sonny Scroggins, of Topeka, founder of Bias Busters, said the new law should also apply when law enforcement officers stop people on foot.

He said many minorities are too poor to own cars and, "Our interaction with the law enforcement community is on foot."

The new law, signed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius last week, requires each law enforcement agency to adopt policies against racial profiling and to set up a procedure for handling complaints. They also must compile annual reports on complaints.

The law also will establish a 15-member commission to collect data about racial profiling and make recommendations to Sebelius and legislators by Nov. 1.

Rep. Ward Loyd, R-Garden City, chairman of the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee, said lawmakers did not have the law cover pedestrian stops because some law enforcement officials were concerned that might have required reporting of routine contacts between citizens and officers.

Scroggins' group plans to hold a workshop on racial profiling Wednesday night at a Topeka hotel.

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Racial profiling law is SB 77.

On the Net:
Kansas Legislature: http://www.kslegislature.org

Bias Busters: http://www.biasbustersofkansas.com

http://www.ksn.com/news/stories/10082817.html
Thursday, November 24, 10:16 am
Wichita, Kansas


KSN Local News

SATISFYING RACIAL PROFILING LAWS

by Anthony Powell
KSN News


WICHITA, Kansas, Nov 17, 2005 -- A law banning racial profiling will go into effect in Kansas next year, but the concern among law enforcement officials is just how to enforce the legislation.

When Governor Kathleen Sebellius signed the racial profiling prohibition law back in June, she also assigned a 15-member task force to make recommendations to strengthen the legislation. Those recommendations were recently submitted and are now generating conversation.

"We’re concerned about the fact that it’s going to impact our ability to be proactive in regards to the services that we provide this community," said Wichita Police Chief Norman Williams.

Williams spoke at Tuesday’s city council workshop about the racial profiling law. As part of the recommendations to the legislation, law enforcement will be required to record information including the ethnicity and age of the person they stop to determine if racial profiling has occurred.

But Chief Williams worries those requirements may have officers asking, "Why should I be proactive on my beat? Why don’t I just wait to be reactive. In other words, have dispatch send me to call instead of doing what I need to do."

"I sympathize with Chief William’s concerns but we had those same concerns," said Former U.S. Attorney, Jackie Williams.

Jackie Williams was part of the 15-member task force that looked into improving the racial profiling law. Williams believes the panel has come up with an effective way for law enforcement to abide by the racial profiling ban while not compromising the way they do their jobs.

"We’ve developed a uniform collection system that will satisfy law enforcement and the public. It shouldn’t take law enforcement more than 60 to 90 seconds to complete a form and collect that data," said Williams.

Williams also said several members of law enforcement were part of the task force to help insure the guidelines to enforce the racial profiling law weren’t too restrictive.

Last update: Nov 17, 2005, 9:14am