The California legislature passed Assembly Bill 953 in 2015 (AB-953). Known as the Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA), this legislation requires all law enforcement agencies in the state to “collect perceived demographic and other detailed data regarding pedestrian and traffic stops”. The data is not to be collected from identification like a passport or driver's license. Rather, the data is based upon the officer's perception of the person they stopped. The Racial and Identity Profiling Act requires California’s law enforcement agencies to collect this information on all “stops” and report this information to the California Department of Justice (DOJ).

As outlined in Penal Code Section 13519.4, this Act also established the Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board for the purpose of eliminating racial and identity profiling, and improving diversity and racial and identity sensitivity in law enforcement. In addition to reviewing agency data, the RIPA Board issues an annual report which includes detailed findings on the past and current status of racial and identity profiling.

The San Rafael Police Department is committed to fair and impartial policing that is free of discrimination or bias. For additional information regarding the Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) and to access the complete data portal, please visit https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov