Glenn College Researcher Analyzes Police Traffic Stop Data
Glenn College senior research scientist Robin Engel announces the results of the data analysis at a Pennsylvania State Police press conference. (Credit: Pennsylvania State Police)
Glenn College senior research scientist Robin Engel and colleagues conducted an independent analysis of data collected from all Pennsylvania State Police trooper-initiated traffic stops in 2023, the latest findings of a voluntary, extensive data collection program focused on improving policy, training, public trust and the safety of motorists and troopers.
Shifting the Paradigm
John Glenn College of Public Affairs faculty and the Columbus Division of Police aspire to improve policing by safeguarding constitutional rights while building trust between officers and the community. In the newest edition of the college magazine, Public Address, our “Shifting the Paradigm” stories explain ways the college expertise is bringing science, data collection and education to an effort that’s caught the attention of police departments across the country who want to implement the model.
Engel ranks among the top academics nationally in criminal justice and criminology, with expertise in empirical assessments of police behavior, use of force, police-minority relations and criminal justice policies. She also is an adjunct professor of criminal justice at the University of Cincinnati.
“The Pennsylvania State Police’s continued investment in a comprehensive and accurate data collection process adds confidence to our statistical findings of no or minimal racial and ethnic disparities across PSP’s traffic stop enforcement actions,” said Engel. “This level of transparency and accountability is an important step for maintaining public trust and confidence in law enforcement and should serve as a model for other police agencies across the Commonwealth.”