How Saugus police skew citation data by mislabeling drivers with Hispanic last names

Massachusetts law requires police to collect data about drivers for traffic stops that end in a written warning or citation. Police are not required to collect data on drivers they give verbal warnings – which police leaders estimate happen in four out of 10 stops.

When police officers write a citation, they must record basic information about the stop, including their perception of the driver’s race. Police can choose from six options set by the state: White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern or American Indian/Alaska Native. While Hispanic is widely considered...