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Abstract
There were very few empirical studies on racial profiling in a pre-9/11 context. Among those studies that have been conducted on the subject both before and after 9/11 scholars have yet to reach a consensus on how to best define and measure the driving population against which any racial disparities in traffic tickets should be compared. This dissertation reports research that integrated various quantitative research methods including the use of a gravity model and age and racial demographic data from the 2000 U.S. Census to provide a more precise estimate of the driving population in the city of Cleveland in order to make a more accurate determination of racial disparities in the distribution of traffic tickets in this, the third most racially segregated city in the country.
This research analyzed racial traffic ticket data collected in the city of Cleveland over a two-year period and found that blacks were disproportionately ticketed by police in the city. The research also examined racial profiling from an institutional racism perspective rather than the traditional individual racism perspective in which the discussion is usually framed. The study's findings are consistent with a study of racial profiling in four other major Ohio cities, which found that racial profiling is a problem in the state and the findings are also consistent with conflict theory arguments that minorities are disproportionately sanctioned by the criminal justice system.
