Rhode Island Bans racial profiling by police

New legislation signed into law by the governor bans racial profiling and aims to reduce discriminatory traffic enforcement by Rhode Island police. Governor Donald Carcieri signed the legislation July 2 after a study found that police  disproportionately stop and search vehicles driven by nonwhites.The legislation also provides for a study by the state Justice Commission. It restricts some police practices thought to contribute to discrimination and requires police departments to examine officers' behavior and report on how they are addressing any racial disparities in traffic stops and searches. [more]