State Police pressed on on whether drivers are being profiled

LANSING (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is pressing the Michigan State Police about whether racial profiling is a factor in traffic stops.

The ACLU says the request comes after complaints from drivers regarding possible profiling of black and Latino motorists along I-94. The stops involve the agency’s Fifth District Hometown Security Team.

A State Police spokeswoman said the agency plans to review demographic data it collects during traffic stops. She said stopping motorists without proper grounds, or using race as a factor, violates the department's code of conduct.

The ACLU looked at some stops in 2016 and 2017. Mark Fancher, staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan, says in a statement that records it reviewed "raise concerns” and warrant an investigation.