RESOLUTION OF THE MISSOURI STATE CONFERENCE OF THE NAACP REGARDING THE FAILURE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL BAILEY TO COMPLY WITH STATE STATUTE AND INCLUDE THE DISPARITY INDEX IN THE ANNUAL VEHICLE STOPS REPORT

Whereas, Missouri Statute 590.650.4(2)(c) requires a comparison of the percentage of stopped motor vehicles driven by each minority group and the percentage of the state's population that each minority group comprises, otherwise known as the “disparity index,” to be included in an annual vehicle stops report to the General Assembly; and

Whereas, every Attorney General prior to Andrew Bailey complied with the statute and included the disparity index in their report; and

Whereas, Attorney General Bailey has publicly stated his intention to continue to violate the statute; and

Whereas, this information allows the public to monitor the rate at which people of color are pulled over and issued tickets compared to their white peers; and

Whereas, the disparity index has shown a persistent trend upward from 1.27 in 2000 to 1.61 in 2022; and

Whereas, law enforcement agencies have failed to take accountability for or address this disparity and have instead made excuses and attempted to deny the veracity of the data;

Now therefore, be it resolved, that the Missouri NAACP calls on Attorney General Bailey to comply with Missouri Statutes and issue a disparity index report; and

Be it finally resolved, that the Missouri NAACP will take such legal action as is necessary to force the Missouri Attorney General to follow the law related to the creation and publication of a disparity index pursuant to RSMo 590.650.4(2)(c).