Report of Cognitive Testing of the 2011 PPCS Questionnaire

2011 Police Public Contact Survey OMB Supporting Statement

Attachment 9

Final Report of Cognitive Testing

Final Report of Cognitive Testing of the 2011 Public Police Contact Survey Questionnaire

Theresa DeMaio, Rachel Freidus, and Katherine Drom

Center for Survey Measurement

March 31, 2011

At the request of the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Demographic Surveys Division, the Center for Survey Measurement conducted cognitive testing of the 2011 Public Police Contact Survey. Major changes have been made to the questionnaire since its last administration in 2008.

Changes include the addition of a new set of screener questions that ask about specific types of contacts with police, a new question asking about the most recent contact with police, minor wording changes, and reordering of questions.

In January and February, 2011, 29 interviews were conducted in two rounds. The first round consisted of 14 interviews. After changes were made to the questionnaire, another 15 interviews were conducted. The interviews were conducted by the three authors of this report.

Respondents were recruited through an advertisement in the Washington Post Express and an announcement on the Census Bureau’s listserve. Respondents were recruited who had face-to-face contact with the police within the past 12 months. Three different types of contact with the police were in scope: 1) direct interaction during a traffic stop; 2) direct interaction during a stop on the street; and 3) situations in which the respondent initiated contact with the police. Particular emphasis was placed on respondents who had received traffic tickets. While respondents were recruited based on these types of contact, the situation they reported to the Census Bureau recruiter was not always the one they reported on during the interview. That is because the questionnaire asks the respondent to provide detailed information about the most recent contact. Many respondents reported multiple contacts and multiple types of contacts the police, and the one they mentioned to the recruiter was not always the most recent contact. Nevertheless, we conducted interviews with 16 respondents who reported about traffic stops, 3 respondents who reported about street stops, and 9 respondents who reported about voluntary contacts. One respondent only did not report any of these activities; she reported some other type of contact and was skipped to the end of the questionnaire. A copy of the questionnaire that we used in Round 1 is included as Attachment A.

The table below documents the characteristics of the cognitive interview respondents:

Age	Number of Rs
20 – 30	9
31 – 40	8
41 – 50	7
51 – 60	4
61 – 70	1
Sex
Male	14
Female	15
Race
White	8
Black	18
Hispanic	3
Asian	0
Education
< high school graduate
High school graduate	10
Vocational school	1
Some college	7
College graduate	10
Some graduate school	1
Advanced degree	3

During the Interviews, respondents were instructed to “think aloud” as they were answering the survey questions. Pre-scripted probes were asked to determine their interpretation of specific terminology in the questions. In addition, unscripted probes were asked whenever respondents seemed to be having difficulty responding to a question. Respondents who were not Federal employees were paid $40 for their participation in the interview.

RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Results are presented in two sections. First we present one general issue that affects many of the questions in the survey. Then we present question-by-question discussions of the results, including recommendations for questionnaire revision. Within each question, we include the results of both rounds when changes were made to the question between rounds. A copy of the questionnaire containing our recommendations is included as Attachment B. The questionnaire containing final revisions as agreed upon by the sponsor is included as Attachment C. ¹

General Issue

The questionnaire collects information about a variety of contacts that respondents have with the police in the last 12 months. Then they are asked to identify their most recent contact and they answer the rest of the questions about that contact.

If a respondent has had only one contact with the police in the last 12 months (such as for a traffic ticket), it is easy to determine what the focus of the rest of the questions should be. However, other cases involved multiple contacts, and in these cases the decision about the focus of the rest of the questions was not so clearcut. Two different types of multiple contacts were identified. In the first type, the respondent had multiple incidents within a single type of activity (for example, being pulled over twice for speeding). In the second type, a single episode might have involved multiple contacts. For example, reporting a crime to the police might involve a phone call followed by a face-to-face contact, perhaps followed by more interactions.

We revised the questionnaire between Round 1 and Round 2 to deal with the first type of multiple contacts, and these changes were successful. The second type of multiple contact is much harder to deal with. Respondents in these interviews thought in terms of episodes rather than individual contacts.

The terminology and the context of the questions make it almost inevitable that the respondent will think of the entire episode as the most recent contact. Q5b asks which of several contacts reported by the respondent was the most recent and this puts them in the frame of mind that the episode is the most recent contact. Then the introduction to each question series repeats the same language and reinforces that interpretation. (When one respondent was asked what she thought “the most recent contact” means, she said the occurrence that happened most recently. “The lady on my deck happened last Tuesday and the speeding ticket was 3 months ago.”) The incident with the lady on her deck actually involved two contacts, one on the phone and one in person. She considered it one contact, but technically for the purposes of this interview it is two contacts. We doubt that any change in the language will cause respondents to alter that interpretation. As they have been asked to recall their experiences with the police, they seem to be thinking in terms of the entire series of contacts that comprises an episode. The individual instances of contact get lost in the mix. As a result of this confusion, responses to other questions in the section are not consistent in the “contact” to which they refer. Sometimes the respondents answer about the first contact in the episode and sometimes they answer about the second contact.

One thing to keep in mind is that the first type of multiple contact (multiple incidents within the same type of activity) occurred most often within the traffic stop section of the questionnaire and our question revisions seemed to be effective. The second type of multiple contact (a single episode with multiple contacts) occurred almost exclusively within the voluntary contacts section. The responses to questions within this section are subject to a certain amount of measurement error.

Question-by-Question Results and Recommendations

1. Before I get to the questions about contacts you may have had with the police, I would like to find out how often you usually drive. Do you currently drive… (Read answer categories.)

1. Everyday or almost every day? 2. A few days a week? 3. A few days a month? 4. A few times a year? 5. Never?

This question was asked of all respondents. While most respondents said they drove every day, there were some responses in all the other response categories as well.

Respondents generally had no difficulty answering this question. In Round 1, there was one respondent whose current driving pattern was different from her usual driving pattern because her transmission went out a few months ago and the car wasn’t drivable. She answered based on her current driving frequency rather than when her car was running. In Round 2, there were two respondents who mentioned two different driving frequencies. In one case a student attending college in Washington, DC said she drives more frequently when she goes home than she drives at school. In another case a respondent said her license was revoked. In both cases the respondents reported about their current driving frequency.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

2. Do you know any police officers that work in your neighborhood by name or by sight?

1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked of all respondents. Respondents were more likely not to know the police officers in their neighborhood (N=20) than to know them (N=9).

Respondents generally had no difficulty answering this question. Some respondents were considering police officers who live in their neighborhood. Probing revealed that for the most part the officers also worked in the neighborhood. One positive response was an over-report. Probing revealed that the officer had previously worked in the respondent’s neighborhood, but he doesn’t work there any more.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

3. I am going to read some questions about experiences you may have had seeking help or assistance from the police. In the last 12 months, have you: Reported a crime to the police?	1. Yes 2. No
Reported a non-crime emergency such as a traffic accident or medical emergency to the police?	1. Yes 2. No
Reported a suspicious person or disturbance to the police?	1. Yes 2. No
Contacted police about neighborhood concerns or problems?	1. Yes 2. No
Participated in block watch or other anti-crime programs WITH the police?	1. Yes 2. No
Approached or sought help from the police in the last 12 months for something I haven’t mentioned?	1. Yes 2. No
The following are questions about any time in the last 12 months when the police have initiated contact with you. In the last 12 months have you: Been stopped by the police while in a public place, but not in a moving vehicle? This includes being in a parked vehicle.	1. Yes 2. No
Been stopped by the police while driving a motor vehicle? (NOTE: a “motor vehicle” includes motorcycle, bus, private and commercial cars, or trucks)	1. Yes 2. No
Been the passenger in a motor vehicle that was stopped by the police? (NOTE: a “motor vehicle” includes motorcycle, bus, private and commercial cars, or trucks)	1. Yes 2. No
Been involved in a traffic accident that was reported to police?	1. Yes 2. No
Been arrested?	1. Yes 2. No
Have you EVER been stopped or approached by the police in the last 12 months?	1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked of all respondents. In Round 1, “yes” responses were reported for all of the sub-questions except 3e.

A number of issues surfaced in Round 1. Q3a (“have you reported a crime to the police?”) was interpreted quite broadly, and respondents did not know what categories would follow. Crimes ranged from vandalism (a punctured tire) to domestic violence to loud noise late at night.

Respondents reported the same contact multiple times in different parts of this question, resulting in over-reporting. One respondent reported the same domestic dispute as both a “crime” and a “disturbance.” Another respondent reported loud noises late at night as both a “crime” and a “neighborhood concern.”

Respondents also seemed to report a number of new police contacts in Q3f, “approached or sought help from the police in the last 12 months for something I haven’t mentioned,” that should have been reported earlier in the question. One respondent reported two instances where kids from her neighborhood jumped on and dented her car. Another respondent mentioned male prostitution.

These should have been reported as crimes.

Q3l also elicited incidents that should have been reported previously. A respondent reported at this point that he had been woken up by a police officer when he was sleeping in his parked car in a rest area. This should have been reported in Q3g, “been stopped by the police while in a public place, but not in a moving vehicle.”

Another problem noted was that the subitems did not flow well from one to the next. The interviewers found themselves having to say “Have you…” before each question, in order to make the questions make sense to the respondents.

Respondents were probed about the meaning of motor vehicles. They generally included things such as motorcycles, cars, trucks and vans. One respondent mentioned scooters and another mentioned “wheel-bikes.”

To address these issues, changes were made to the question for Round 2. The changes included the following:

- reordering questions that ask about reporting crimes and non-crime emergencies to decrease the reporting of minor incidents as crimes. Qs 3a and b were moved to 3b and 3d, respectively;

- adding an instruction to clarify that parked vehicles should be included in Q3g; and

- moving the words “have you” from the question’s introductions and putting them in each sub-question to improve the understanding of each question when read to the respondent.

These changes resulted in the following question wording for Round 2:

3. I am going to read some questions about experiences you may have had seeking help or assistance from the police. Have you approached or sought help from the police for any of the following reasons in the last 12 months?

3a. Have you reported a suspicious person or disturbance to the police?

3b. Have you reported a crime to the police?

3c. Have you contacted the police a out any other neighborhood concerns or problems?

3d. Have you reported a non-crime emergency such as a traffic accident or medical emergency to the police?

3e. Have you participated in block watch or other anti-crime programs WITH police?

3f. Have you approached or sought help from the police in the last 12 months for something I haven’t mentioned?

The following are questions about any time in the last 12 months when police have initiated contact with you. In the last 12 months:

3g. Have you been stopped by the police while in a public place, but not in a moving vehicle? This includes being in a parked vehicle.

3h. Have you been stopped by the police while driving a motor vehicle?

3i. Have you been the passenger in a motor vehicle that was stopped by the police?

3j. Have you been involved in a traffic accident that was reported to the police?

3k. Have you been arrested?

3l. Have you been stopped or approached by the police in the last 12 months for something I haven’t mentioned?

In Round 2, at least one respondent said “yes” to each of these sub-questions.

The reordering of the initial questions did not have the desired effect of reducing duplicate reporting. Two of the five respondents who said they reported a crime to police in Q3b also reported the incident in Q3a. These included a respondent who called the police when she and her boyfriend were arguing, a respondent who saw suspicious cars in the alley behind their house and said that she and her husband had seen a drug sale transaction take place. Another respondent reported the same incident in Q3b and Q3c-- her sister’s boyfriend stole her sister’s property and pushed her. In another case, the same incident (seeing a man who was suspected of breaking into cars and homes in his neighborhood) was reported in Q3a and Q3c. While some crimes are unambiguous (e.g., stealing property from the library, getting attacked with a piece of glass on the Metro), the line between crimes and other types of incidents was blurred in many cases.

During Round 2, the problem of reporting new incidents in Q3f and Q3l was minor. In one case, the respondent had multiple incidents that fit in Q3c and she reported “yes” there. She also said “yes” to Q3f and mentioned a different incident in response to probing. The same phenomenon was observed with one respondent in response to Q3l – a respondent said “yes” to Q3l because he was reporting additional incidents of being pulled over while driving a motor vehicle besides the one he was thinking about when he answered Q3h. This could be an artifact of the probing that was done during the cognitive interview process. Perhaps these respondents thought each question should reflect a single incident and they fit any additional ones in the “other” catchall question.

Respondents in Round 2 had a variety of definitions of “motor vehicles,” ranging from “anything that has a motor and is running” to “anything with an engine” to “anything motorized that you take on the road.” For the most part this included cars, trucks and vans. But in some cases it also included airplanes.

Recommendation: Based on the results of these interviews, we do not think that respondents can adequately disentangle incidents related to disturbances, neighborhood concerns, and crimes. For this reason, we recommend combining Qs 3a, 3b, and 3c from Round 2 (that is, Q3a, 3c, and 3d from Round 1) into a single question: “Have you reported any kind of crime, disturbance, or suspicious activity to the police?” We recognize that the sponsor may have an interest in measuring the incidence of reports of crimes separately, but the prevalence of minor incidents among the crimes that were reported in our interviews suggests that this is fraught with measurement error. If it is necessary to measure reporting crimes separately, we would at least recommend that the other two questions be combined.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted.

4. How many face-to-face contacts did you have with the police during the last 12 months? (Note: A face-to-face contact is defined as one that involved verbal communication or contact in which the officer turns his or her direct interaction towards you.)

_____________ (000-999) Number of contacts

This question was asked of all respondents. In Round 1, responses generally ranged from 1 to 5, although one respondent reported 14 face-to-face contacts.

Respondent reports in Q4 did not always seem consistent with their reports to previous questions. In some cases, the numbers were higher because they thought of additional instances of contact when they answered this question. In one case, the respondent mentioned times when the police were called to the UHaul lot when he was there for work. In another case, the respondent counted every time he saw police in the police station when he applied for a vendor’s license. On the other hand, the number of face-to-face contacts reported was sometimes lower than would be expected based on responses to previous answers. One respondent did not count the contact when he was ticketed, because he didn’t see the officer’s eyes during the traffic stop and the officer didn’t show up at the court hearing. Another respondent only mentioned the number of contacts when she was approached by police, because she thought there would be a separate set of questions asking about the contacts when she approached the police. As a result, she never reported her face-to-face contact for her voluntary contact with police.

Respondents were probed for their definitions of face-to-face contact. They gave the following types of answers: “up close,” “now knowing the officer and being spoken to,” “verbally talking” to the officer, “looking them eye to eye.”

For Round 2, the question was reworded to explicitly mention both types of contacts that the questionnaire asks about. It was worded as follows:

“Thinking about the times you initiated contact with the police and the times they initiated contact with you, how many face-to-face contacts did you have with the police during the last 12 months?”

During Round 2, the responses ranged generally from 1 to 4. The exception was one respondent who reported one per week. This included a weekly visit to the library where the respondent worked by a policeman who was on patrol.

For the most part this question worked well. Respondents correctly omitted contacts with police officers who lived in their building or were friends. Except for one case, respondents correctly omitted telephone conversations with the police. The number of contacts did not always match up with the incidents reported in the previous questions, which reflected multiple instances of the same type of contact.

Respondents correctly defined face-to-face contact. They gave the following definitions: “When you have a verbal exchange and you have arms length contact with a person,” “When the police is in front of me and we’re talking,” “so I can see his badge.”

Recommendation: We do not recommend any further changes to this question.

5. Which of the contacts that you just mentioned was the most recent?

Field Representative - Only read the response options marked “Yes” in 3a-j. 1. Reported crime to police – Skip to 72 2 . Reported an emergency - Skip to 72 3. Reported a suspicious person – Skip to 72 4. Contacted police about neighborhood issues – Skip to 72 5. Participated in block watch – Skip to CHECK ITEM V 6. Sought help from police – Skip to 72 7. Been stopped by police while in a public place but not in a vehicle – Skip to 6 8. Been stopped by police while driving – Skip to 39 9. Been a passenger in a car that was stopped by police – Skip to 39 10. Been involved in a traffic accident that was reported to police – Skip to 72

Ten of the 14 respondents were asked this question. With one exception they were all police-initiated contacts. The one exception was a respondent who sought help from the police for something not previously mentioned.

There were several problems with this question. First, the wording of the response categories in Q5 is very cryptic versions of the wording the respondent heard previously in Q 3 a-l. Therefore, the response categories were not able to be read as they are written in Q 5, and interviewers read the response categories as they are written in Q3. For example, response category number 6, “sought help from police,” is presented in Q 3f as, “approached or sought help from the police in the last 12 months.”

Another problem that became apparent to interviewers is that some respondents had more than one of their most recent type of contact. One respondent reported that his most recent contact was “being stopped by police while driving.” During probing it became apparent that this most recent type of contact had happened to him twice, and there were no procedures for him to consider one of them separately. Although this issue did not affect respondents’ answers to Q5, it did affect their answers for the next section.

Additionally, Q4 interrupts the respondents’ frame of reference in terms of the types of contact they had. As noted previously, they sometimes reported more face-to-face contacts than the number of their “yes” answers because they had multiple contacts within categories, or they thought of additional incidents. When they thought about the number of contacts, they were not necessarily thinking about the categories they had previously been asked about. As a result, the wording of Q5 was confusing because it lacked a clear reference back to Q3.

As a result of these problems, this question was revised into a series of questions for Round 2. Q5 was revised to include fills from Q3 a-j to make the connection to respondents’ previous reports more clear. The question was worded as: “You just mentioned several contacts with the police: [incorporate fill from Q3]. Which of these was the most recent?” (This is referred to as Q5b in the text below.)

In addition, a new question was added to determine whether respondents had multiple instances of the type of contact they would be reporting about during the rest of the questionnaire. After Q4 a question was added for respondents who reported having only one type of contact with police in Q3. It was worded as follows: “You mentioned [fill from Q3]. Did this happen more than once in the last 12 months?” (This is referred to as Q5a in the text below.) After Q5 a question was added for respondents who reported having multiple types of contact with police in Q3. It was worded as follows: “You mentioned that [fill with respondent’s answer from Q5] was the most recent contact you had with the police. Did this happen more than once in the last 12 months?” (This is referred to as Q5c in the text below.) When respondents answered “yes” to either one of these questions, it triggered the interviewer to read an introduction in the later sections of the questionnaire reminding them to answer about their most recent contact.

During Round 2, three respondents were asked Q5a. One said it happened more than once and 2 said it did not. Eleven respondents were asked Q5c. Three of them said that the type of contact they reported as the most recent had occurred more than once. These new questions seemed to be effective in eliminating the potential for confusion in identifying the most recent contact later in the questionnaire.

The revisions to Q5b worked well. The question was easier to administer and respondents for the most part did not have difficulty in choosing an answer.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any further changes to this question series.

A. Characteristics of Street Stop

6. Earlier you mentioned having contact with the police while in a public place but not in a moving vehicle. Did the police give a reason for stopping you?

1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked three times, once during Round 1 and twice during Round 2. All three respondents answered “yes” and had no problems understanding or answering this question.

Respondents were probed about the meaning of the phrase “contact with police” and gave definitions in the following ways: “same thing as face-to-face contact,” “anytime you have a direct exchange,” “speaking in person with the police,” and “any form of communication with the police.”

There were no changes made to this question from Round 1 to Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

7. What was the reason given for this stop? Did the police…
7a. suspect you of something?	1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked three times, once during Round 1 and twice during Round 2. Respondents answered “yes” twice and “no” once, and did not have difficulty understanding or answering this question. One respondent who answered “yes” explained that officers stopped him after he passed by two men on the sidewalk who were being watched by the police and suspected of selling drugs. The officers stopped the respondent to search him for drugs and run his license. It is our belief that the respondent answered this question correctly.

There were no changes made to this question from Round 1 to Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

7b. match you to the description of someone they were looking for?

1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked three times, once during Round 1 and twice during Round 2. Respondents answered “no” each time the question was asked, and did not have any difficulty understanding or answering this question.

No changes were made from Round 1 to Round 2 of testing, although respondents were probed with an alternative wording for the question. We asked respondents if they would have had an easier time understanding this question if they had been asked “the police thought you matched the description of someone they were looking for” and all three respondents said it did not make a difference.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

Were the police…
7c. seeking information about another person?	1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked three times, once in Round 1 and twice in Round 2. Respondents answered “yes” once and “no” twice. The respondent who answered “yes” is the same one who reported being stopped because the police suspected him of something in Q7a. The police were seeking information about the men they were watching by questioning the respondent. It is our understanding that this is an appropriate answer, and that multiple reasons for the stop may be reported by this series of questions Q7a through Q7h.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

7d. investigating a crime?

1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked three times, once in Round 1 and twice in Round 2. Respondents answered “yes” once and “no” twice. The respondent who answered “yes” is the same respondent who reported being stopped because the police suspected him of something, and because the police were seeking information about another person. The respondent believed the men were being followed by the police because they had committed a crime, although he had no definite knowledge of this. It is our belief that this is an appropriate response since multiple reasons for the stop may be reported, and it is the respondent’s opinion that a crime was being investigated.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

7e. providing a service or assistance to you?

1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked three times, once in Round 1 and twice in Round 2. Respondents answered “yes” once and “no” twice. The respondent who answered “yes” was approached by a police officer who informed him that his tail-light was out and the respondent said, “By him acknowledging that my tag light was out and I needed to have that repaired that is an assistance to motorists” The respondent answered this question correctly from his perspective.

No changes were made between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

Did someone you were with…
7f. match the description of someone the police were looking for?	1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked three times, once in Round 1 and twice in Round 2. All three respondents answered “no” to this question and did not show any signs of difficulty understanding or answering. In answering this question one respondent added that he was alone, and we believe respondent burden could be alleviated if Q15 (“Were there any other persons with you at the time of the stop?”) were moved to precede the entire Q7 series. This would allow respondents who were alone at the time of the stop to be skipped out of this question.

No changes were made to this question between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: Move Q15 to directly precede Q7a, and include a check before Q7f so that it is skipped if Q15=No.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted.

Was someone you were with…
7g. suspected of something?	1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked three times, once in Round 1 and twice in Round 2. Respondents answered “yes” once and “no” twice. The respondent who answered “yes” was approached by police because his friend had an open container of alcohol.

There were no changes made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2; however, if Q15 is moved to precede Q7, then the check that applies to Q7f should apply to this question as well.

Recommendation: Move Q15 to directly precede Q7a, and include a check before Q7g so that it is skipped if Q15=No.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted.

7h. Was there some other reason?

1. Yes  Specify 2. No

This question was asked twice in Round 2 of testing. Respondents answered “no” both times and had no difficulty understanding the question.

No changes were made between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We have no recommendations for this question.

8. In your initial contact with police, was there one or more than one officer present?

1. One officer 2. More than one officer 3. Don’t know

This question was asked once in Round 1. The respondent reported that more than one officer was present and did not have difficulty in coming up with an answer.

Respondents were probed about how they came up with their answer and what they think the phrase “initial contact” means. Respondents were able to articulate that this question was referring to the “first” contact they had with police, and whether there was only one officer or more than one there at the time.

This question is repeated as Q39. Although no problems were observed in Q8, there was a problem with Q39. As a result, the wording was changed for Round 2; “At the beginning of your initial contact with police, was there one or more than one officer present?” The question was asked twice, and again it was not problematic at this point. However, again problems were observed at Q39 (see that discussion).

Recommendation: We recommend rewording the question to ask “At the beginning of your most recent contact with the police, was there one or more than one officer present?” so that respondents are clear that the survey is now referring to one and only one contact, the most recent.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted.

9. Would you say the officer(s) had a legitimate reason for stopping you?

1.Yes 2. No

This question was asked three times, once in Round 1 and twice in Round 2. All three times the respondents answered “yes.” Respondents were probed on how they came up with their answer, and the word “legitimate” was probed during Round 1 only. There were no difficulties in answering this question, and legitimate was properly described as having a legal basis. We believe all respondents properly answered this question and understood that their opinion on the stop was not being asked about, but rather the legitimacy of the stop.

No changes were made to this question between Rounds 1 and Rounds 2.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

10. Was the police officer Hispanic or Latino?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was asked only once in Round 2 and yielded a response of “no.” The respondent did not have any difficulty answering or understanding the question.

No changes were made to this question between the first and second rounds.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

11. Was the race of the police officer White, Black, or some other race?

1. White 2. Black 3. Some other race 4. Don’t know

This question was asked only once in Round 2, and yielded a response of “white.” The respondent did not have any difficulty understanding or answering the question, and no changes were made to the question between the first and second rounds.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

Sponsor’s Feedback: The sponsor will be changing the question and response categories, but those changes are not included here.

12. Was one or more of the police officers of Hispanic or Latino origin?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was asked twice, once during Round 1 and once during Round 2. Both times the respondents answered “no” and showed no signs of confusion or misunderstanding.

No changes were made to this question between rounds.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

13. Were the police officers:

1. All white? 2. All black? 3. All of some other race? 4. Mostly white? 5. Mostly black? 6. Mostly some other race? 7. Equally mixed? 8. Don’t know race of any/some

This question was asked twice, once in Round 1 and once in Round 2. Both times the respondents answered “all white” and neither time did the respondent allow the interviewer to finish reading the response categories. While respondents did not have any trouble understanding this question, the interruption on the part of the respondent should be noted as a result of having to listen to an extremely long list of options being read to them.

No changes were made to this question between the testing rounds.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

Sponsor’s Feedback: The sponsor will be changing the question and response categories, but those changes are not included here.

14. About what time did this contact occur?

During Day 1. After 6am – 12 noon 2. After 12 noon – 6pm 3. Don’t know what time of day At Night 4. After 6pm – 12 midnight 5. After 12 midnight – 6am 6. Don’t know what time of night OR 7. Don’t know whether day or night

This question was asked once in Round 1. This respondent answered by saying “3 o’clock in the afternoon.” This response fit neatly into a response category and the respondent was able to recall accurately how they remembered the time of the contact when probed.

This question wording is repeated in each section (see Q44 and Q79). Based on a problem that was observed in Q44 the wording was changed for Round 2 to read: “About what time of day did this contact occur?”. We also un-bolded the response category headings, so that the interviewer does not attempt to read the words “during day,” “at night, ” and “or” out loud to the respondent. This wording eliminated the possibility of anyone confusing the word “time” with the time of the year.

This question was asked twice in Round 2. Both contacts occurred in the evening and respondents answered with greater ease.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any further changes to this question.

15. Were there any other persons with you at the time of the stop?

1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked three times, once during Round 1 and twice during Round 2. Two respondents answered “yes” and one respondent said “no.” One of the respondents who answered “yes” was unsure of his answer because there was a person with him in his car; however, he himself was not in the car when he was approached by a police officer. The respondent had entered a bank, and his friend was in the car when the contact with the police occurred. The respondent interpreted the question as asking if there was another person present during the contact with the police. He reported “yes” despite his confusion as to whether this question is asking if there was another person with the respondent at the time of the contact. We believe the respondent interpreted the question correctly, but call this potential ambiguity to the attention of the sponsor.

No changes were made to this question between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We recommend that the sponsor consider the intent of this question and perhaps reword it in light of the observed ambiguity.

As noted previously, we also recommend moving this question to precede Q7 to reduce respondent burden by not asking Q7f and Q7g respondents who answer they are alone during the time of their police contact.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation to move question accepted.
Add a probe, as needed, to the question to address the observed ambiguity. That probe would read: “Did the person you were with observe your contact with the police?”

16. How many other persons were with you at the time of the stop?

_________ number of persons

This question was asked twice, once during Round 1 and once during Round 2. Respondents replied with the answers “one” and “two” and had no trouble remembering or understanding this question when probed.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We recommend this question be moved along with Q15 to precede Q7, since this question is a follow-up to Q15 and must be asked directly following Q15.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted.

17. Were you stopped in the same city/town/village where you live?

1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked once during Round 1. The respondent answered “no” because he was stopped in SE DC, but lives in a different neighborhood in DC. We suspect that this is an incorrect response to the question since the police force is the same.

The question is repeated as Q47. Problems were also discovered in response to that question (see discussion). As a result of these problems, this question was reworded in Round 2 to ask: “Did this stop occur in the same city or town where you live?”.

The two respondents who were asked this question in Round 2 both answered “yes” and had an easier time answering the question and understanding the question’s meaning. When probed, they responded that the question was asking, “Was it in my neighborhood or general area I reside in.”

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to this question.

18. How many minutes would you say this stop lasted?

_____ number of minutes

This question was asked three times, once during Round 1 and twice during Round 2. Answers ranged from seven to 30 minutes and respondents were able to clearly explain their responses when probed.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

19. Do you believe this stop was an appropriate amount of time?

1. Yes 2. No, too long 3. No, too short 4. Don’t know

This question was asked three times, once during Round 1 and twice during Round 2. Respondents answered “yes” all three times, and were then probed about their understanding of the phrase “appropriate amount of time.” All respondents indicated they understood the term appropriately and that it was asking whether or not the stop “took as long it was supposed to.”

No changes were made to this question between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

B. Outcome of Street Stop

20. During this contact were you ticketed or given a warning?

1. Warning 2. Ticketed 3. Neither 4. Don’t know

This question was asked three times, once during Round 1 and twice during Round 2. Respondents answered “ticketed” once and “neither” twice. One respondent who answered “no” said he was given a “work order” which technically is not considered a ticket or a warning.

No changes were made to this question between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We recommend the addition of a FR instruction, or an FR note that indicates that work orders are not to be counted for this question. This will facilitate consistent and accurate responses across respondents if they mention work orders to the interviewer.

Sponsor’s Feedback: The FR note will read: “Any document provided to the respondent from the police that requires the respondent to have a repair or other service to their vehicle, such as a ‘work order’ or ‘order for required maintenance’ should be coded as ‘Neither’.”

21. What were you ticketed for?

­­

This question was asked only once, during Round 1. The respondent was able to provide an answer and did not have difficulty understanding what the question was asking.

No changes were made to this question from the first round to the second.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

22. Were you given a written warning or a verbal warning?

1. Verbal 2. Written 3. Don’t know

This question was not administered during Round 1. However, it is repeated as Q57 which was asked in Round 1. Problems were observed there (see discussion) and as a result changes were made to the response categories for this question.

“Both” and “Neither” were added in Round 2. The question was asked once, and the respondent reported “no.” His answer would not have codeable during Round 1; however the changes to the answer list made this an appropriate response for Round 2.

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to this question.

23. Did the police give you a direct command during this contact?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know/remember

This question was asked three times, once in Round 1 and twice in Round 2. Respondents answered “yes” twice and “no” once, and did not have any trouble understanding the meaning of this question. When probed about the question’s meaning respondents replied that it was asking if “there was a direct order given that needed to be complied with.”

No changes were made to the question between the first and second rounds.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

24. Did you comply with the request of the police officer(s)?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was asked twice, once in Round 1 and once in Round 2. Respondents answered “yes” both times and were probed on the meaning of the phrase “comply with.” Respondents accurately described it as “agreeing with” or to “go along with.”

No changes were made to this question between the first and second rounds.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

25. Did you comply with the officer’s request because:
a. it was a police officer?	1. Yes 2. No
b. the officer was respectful or considerate?	1. Yes 2. No
c. the officer was fair?	1. Yes 2. No
d. the officer convinced you it was the right thing to do?	1. Yes 2. No
e. the officer was trying to help?	1. Yes 2. No
f. the officer pushed you?	1. Yes 2. No
g. the officer yelled at you?	1. Yes 2. No
h. the officer handcuffed you?	1. Yes 2. No
i. the officer threatened to use a weapon?	1. Yes 2. No
j. the officer issued another threat?	1. Yes 2. No
k. the officer aimed a weapon at you?	1. Yes 2. No
l. don’t know/remember why?	1. Yes 2. No
m. other reason  Specify	1. Yes 2. No

This question series was asked once during Round 1. The respondent was able to reply to each possible action easily. However it became clear that after the first couple of questions were read the respondent lost the initial prompt, and most importantly, the word “because” was no longer in his mind. This caused the respondent to answer each question in terms of whether or not the action or threat happened at all, and not whether or not it influenced the respondent in their compliance.

At the sponsor’s request, this question was combined with Q26 for Round 2. The question was changed to read:

25. Which of these factors influenced how you responded to the request by the officer? Was it:

a. because it was a police officer?

b. because the officer was respectful or considerate?

c. because the officer was fair?

d. because the officer convinced you it was the right thing to do?

e. because the officer was trying to help?

f. because the officer pushed you?

g. because the officer yelled at you?

h. because the officer handcuffed you?

i. because the officer threatened to use a weapon?

j. because the officer issued another threat?

k. because the officer aimed a weapon at you?

l. because you don’t trust the police?

m. because the police were hassling you?

n. because you were already late for something?

o. because the officer was not helpful?

p. because the officer was not respectful or considerate?

q. because the officer was not being fair?

r. because it was the right thing to do?

s. because the officer was rude?

t. Don’t know/remember why?

u. Other reason?

The question was asked once in Round 2. The respondent replied with greater ease and expressed understanding that they were indicating which factors affected their response to the police officer.

It is important to note, however, that this question was only asked of a respondent who had a positive experience with the police. For this reason, we are uncertain of how the question will work for someone who had a negative experience with the police.

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to this question.

26. Did you fail to comply with the request of the police officer because:
a. you don’t trust the police?	1. Yes 2. No
b. the police were hassling you?	1. Yes 2. No
c. you were already late for something?	1. Yes 2. No
d. the officer was not helpful?	1. Yes 2. No
e. the officer was not respectful or considerate?	1. Yes 2. No
f. the officer was not being fair?	1. Yes 2. No
g. it was not the right thing to do?	1. Yes 2. No
h. the officer yelled at you?	1. Yes 2. No
i. the officer handcuffed you?	1. Yes 2. No
j. the officer threatened to use a weapon?	1. Yes 2. No
k. the officer issued another threat?	1. Yes 2. No
l. the officer aimed a weapon at you?	1. Yes 2. No
m. the officer was disrespecting you?	1. Yes 2. No
n. the officer was rude?	1. Yes 2. No
o. Don’t know/remember why?	1. Yes 2. No
p. other reason?	1. Yes  Specify 2. No

This question was not asked during Round 1. However, since the format and content are extremely similar to Q25, we assumed that the same problems would occur for respondents.

This question was combined with Q25 for Round 2 of testing (see above), but it was not asked of anyone who failed to comply with a police officer’s request.

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to this question.

27. Did the police do any of the following:
a. Shout at you?	1. Yes 2. No
b. Curse at you?	1. Yes 2. No
c. Threaten to arrest you?	1. Yes 2. No
d. Threaten you with a ticket or other sanction?	1. Yes 2. No
e. Threaten to use force against you?	1. Yes 2. No
f. Actually push or grab you?	1. Yes 2. No
g. Handcuff you?	1. Yes 2. No
h. Actually kick or hit you?	1. Yes 2. No
i. Actually spray you with a chemical or pepper spray?	1. Yes 2. No
j. Actually use an electroshock weapon against you, such as a stun gun?	1. Yes 2. No
k. Actually point gun at you?	1. Yes 2. No
l. Use any other type of force?	1. Yes  Specify 2. No

This question was asked once in Round 1. “Yes” reports were recorded in A, C, and D.

There was an issue with over-reporting due to the phrase “any other sanction” in Q27d. The respondent answered “yes” to Q27d because the officer threatened to arrest him, and he believed this was being “threatened with any other sanction” although he had already reported being threatened to be arrested in Q27c.

For Round 2 the only change made was to 27d. The question was changed to read:

27. Did the police do any of the following?

a. Shout at you?

b. Curse at you?

c. Threaten to arrest you?

d. Threaten you with a ticket?

e. Threaten you with something else I haven’t mentioned?

f. Threaten to use force against you?

g. Actually push or grab you?

h. Handcuff you?

i. Actually kick or hit you?

j. Actually spray you with a chemical or pepper spray?

k. Actually use an electroshock weapon against you, such as a stun gun?

l. Actually point a gun at you?

m. Use any other type of force?

This question was asked twice in the new format for Round 2, and there were no difficulties with comprehension or over reporting noted.

Recommendation: In addition to our modifications to Q27d for Round 2, we recommend incorporating a fill based on Q20, which asks respondents if they received a ticket. If respondents report that they have already received a ticket, we recommend that this read, “Threaten you with other tickets.” For respondents who report that they have not received a ticket, we do not recommend any further changes to this question.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted. Also, delete Q27e.

28. Do you feel any of the actions used or threatened against you were necessary?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was asked only once during Round 1 of testing. The respondent did not have difficulty understanding or answering the question; however, the same wording is used in Q60 where respondents did have difficulty replying (see discussion).

As a result of the problems observed at Q60, the question was revised for Round 2 to read: “You mentioned that the police [Fill from Q27]. Do you feel these actions were necessary?” The fill is used to aid the respondent in recalling the actions they reported in the previous question.

This question was not asked at all in Round 2, and we were not able to test the revised version here.

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to this question.

29. Do you feel any of the force used or threatened against you was excessive?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t Know

This question was asked once during Round 1. The respondent answered “No” and correctly described the word “excessive” when probed as “feeling uncomfortable.” This question was not asked during Round 2 of testing.

No changes were made to this question between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

30. At any time during this contact did you…
a. Disobey or interfere with the officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
b. Try to get away?	1. Yes 2. No
c. Push, grab, or hit the police officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
d. Resist being handcuffed, arrested, or searched?	1. Yes 2. No
e. Argue with the police officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
f. Curse at, insult, or verbally threaten police officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
g. Complain to the officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
h. Physically do anything else?	1. Yes  Specify 2. No

This question was asked once during Round 1 of testing. The respondent reported only “complaining” to the police officer, and did not seem to have any trouble understanding the question.

This question is repeated as Q62. Problems were observed at Q62 (see discussion). As a result the question was revised for Round 2 and the order of options was changed so that Q30e follows Q30g, immediately after Q30d:

30. At any time during this contact did you…

a. Disobey or interfere with the officer(s)?

b. Try to get away?

c. Push, grab, or hit the police officer(s)?

d. Resist being handcuffed, arrested, or searched?

e. Complain to the officer(s)?

f. Argue with the police officer(s)?

g. Curse at, insult, or verbally threaten police officer(s)?

h. Physically do anything else?

This question was not asked in Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to this question.

31. Were you injured as a result of this contact?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was not administered in either round so we were not able to test it.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

32. Did you seek medical attention for these injuries?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was not administered in either round so we were not able to test it.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

33. During this contact, were you arrested?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was asked twice, once in Round 1 and once in Round 2. Respondents answered “no” both times and did not have any difficulty understanding the question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

34. At any time during this stop, did the police officer(s):
a. ASK PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?	1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know
b. Actually search you, frisk you, or pat you down?	1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was asked once in Round 1. The respondent answered “no” to both options without any difficulty, but was focused on the word “permission” since it came first. The respondent felt he was answering the same question twice.

For Round 2 of testing we re-ordered the 2 options, so that Q34b was asked before Q34a.

This format was administered twice. One respondent answered “yes” to both, the other respondent answered “no” to both. No problems or confusion were observed with this version of the question.

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to this question.

35. Whether or not the police officer(s) asked for PERMISSION, at any time during this stop did you GIVE the police officer(s) PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was asked three times, once in Round 1 and twice in Round 2. Respondents did not have any trouble answering or understanding this question.

No changes were made between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

36. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was asked only once in Round 2. The respondent replied “yes” and did not have any difficulty understanding the question.

No changes were made between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

37. During the search, did the police officer(s) find any illegal items, such as a weapon, drugs, or an open container or alcohol?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was asked only once in Round 2. The respondent replied “no” and did not have any difficulty understanding the question.

No changes were made between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

38. Earlier you said that you were arrested and searched. Did the search occur before you were arrested?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

This question was not administered in either round so we were not able to test it.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

C. Characteristics of Traffic Stop

39. In your initial contact with police, was there one or more than one officer present?

1. One officer 2. More than one officer 3. Don’t know/remember

During Round 1, ten respondents were asked this question. Three respondents said that more than one officer was present.

There was no introduction telling respondents to report only their most recent contact. As a result, many respondents heard this question, focused on the phrase, “initial contact” and often reported their first contact rather than their most recent contact. One respondent said, “Initial? So that’s the first one?” meaning he thought we wanted him to report about his first contact with police. Most respondents had similar difficulties with this question. Almost all respondents reported their first contact and not their most recent contact after hearing this question.

As a result, after Round 1 we changed the wording of the question to: “At the beginning of this contact, was there one or more than one officer present?” We also added an instruction to each section to be read to those with more than one contact, or more than one of the same type of contact that read, “Please tell me ONLY about the MOST RECENT contact you had with the police.” (See above)

During Round 2, six respondents were asked this question and two said more than one officer was present. Respondents answered the question correctly, though not without difficulty. A few respondents still reported that they thought “initial contact” meant “the first contact.” One of those respondents said that she was able to answer correctly, but only because she had one contact. She reported that if she had had more than one contact, she would not have known which one to report, even with the added instructions. A different respondent reported that the phrase “initial contact” confused him, though he did answer correctly.

Recommendation: In order to prevent any future difficulties and remain consistent across sections, we believe it is necessary to remove the word “initial” and add the word “recent” to this question, as we are recommending adding the word “recent” to the first question in Q8 in the traffic stop section.

We recommend modifying the question to read, “At the beginning of your most recent contact with police, was there one or more than one officer present?”

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted.

40. Was the police officer of Hispanic or Latino origin?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

Of the 11 respondents for whom responses were recorded, one reported not knowing whether the officer was of Hispanic or Latino origin, two said “yes” and eight said “no.”

Most respondents did not have difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question, though one respondent said, “Yes, I think so,” and was not positive about his/her answer.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

41. Was the race of the police officer White, Black, or some other race?

1. White 2. Black 3. Some other race 4. Don’t know

Of the ten respondents for whom responses were recorded, six reported that their officer was white, three reported that their officer was black, and one reported “some other race.”

Most respondents did not have difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question, though one said “yes” when asked, and did not provide a response category at first. However, the respondent said “white” immediately afterwards. Another respondent pointed out that to him, it is hard to tell someone’s race by looking at them. The respondent said, “I’m pretty sure he was white, but he could have been mixed with some other race or something. I don’t know.”

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

Sponsor’s Feedback: The sponsor will be changing the question and response categories, but those changes are not included here.

42. Was one or more of the police officers of Hispanic of Latino origin?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

All five respondents for whom responses were recorded reported that the officers were not of Hispanic or Latino origin. There was no variation in response.

Respondents did not have difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

43. Were the police officers:

1. All White? 2. All Black? 3. All of some other race? 4. Mostly White? 5. Mostly Black? 6. Mostly some other race? 7. Equally mixed? 8. Don’t know race of any/some

Five respondents answered this question. Respondents reported answers in the following response categories: “All Black,” “All of some other race,” ”Mostly White,” and “Equally mixed.”

Most respondents did not have difficulty understanding and correctly answering this question. However, one respondent guessed her response and said, “I couldn’t tell what he was, but from the silhouette he looked Black.”

It is important to note, that one respondent had extreme difficulty with this question as she stopped the interviewer to say “yes” after three different response categories: “All of some other race,” “Mostly some other race,” and “Equally mixed.” Her final answer was “Equally mixed.” The respondent explained that there were three officers present, and that one was Black and one was white. She did not say anything about the third officer. However, the respondent thought that “All of some other race” and “Mostly of some other race” were correct responses before hearing “Equally mixed.”

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

Sponsor’s Feedback: The sponsor will be changing the question and response categories, but those changes are not included here.

44. About what time did this contact occur?

During day 1. After 6am-12noon 2. After 12noon-6pm 3. Don’t know what time of day At night 4. After 6pm-12midnight 5. After 12midnight-6am 6. Don’t know what time of night OR 7. Don’t know whether day or night

Ten respondents were asked this question in Round 1. Respondents reported answers in the following response categories: “After 6am-12noon,” “After 12noon-6pm,” “After 6pm-12midnight,” and “After 12midnight-6am.” None of the respondents for whom responses were recorded reported that they did not know when this contact occurred.

This question put respondents in the frame of mind to think about “what time” the contact happened, and not specifically what time of day the contact happened. One respondent reported that her contact happened in March. As a result we modified this question to read, “About what time of day did this contact occur?” We also un-bolded “During day,” “At night” and “OR.” The six respondents who answered this question during Round 2 did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

For Round 2, the question read:

44. About what time of day did this contact occur?
During day

1. After 6am-12noon

2. After 12noon-6pm

3. Don’t know what time of day

At night

4. After 6pm-12midnight

5. After 12midnight-6am

6. Don’t know what time of night

OR

7. Don’t know whether day or night

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to this question.

45. Were there any other persons with you at the time of the traffic stop?

1. Yes 2. No

Five of 14 respondents for whom responses were recorded during Rounds 1 and 2 reported that there were other persons with them, and nine of 14 reported that there were no other persons with them at the time of the traffic stop. This question is a repeat of Q15. A problem was observed at Q15 (see discussion above).

Most respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question. However, one respondent from the street stop section reported that someone was in his parked car waiting for him, when the officer stopped him while he went into the bank. The other person was not with the respondent during the actual stop but was with him at the time of the stop, though the respondent said “yes” to this question. It is not clear whether the respondent answered this question correctly or not.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: As with Q15, we recommend that the sponsor consider the intent of the question and perhaps reword it. We do NOT recommend moving this question as we recommended with Q15 because there are no preceding questions in this section that would benefit from this information.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted.

46. How many other persons were with you at the time of the traffic stop?

________ number of persons

Of the five respondents for whom responses were recorded, four said “one” and one said “two.”

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

47. Did this traffic stop occur in the same city/town/village where you live?

1. Yes 2. No

Respondents were asked this question in Round 1 and Round 2 and two of them said “yes” to this question.

It was unclear what specifically should have been included as the “same city/town/village” that someone lives in. Respondents were not sure whether they should answer this question thinking about an area as specific as their immediate neighborhood, or an area as broad as their county. The respondents all had different perceptions of what they thought should be considered as the “same city/town/village.” One respondent reported that his contact took place in a different neighborhood in DC from the one in which he lives, so he said no. Another respondent had the opposite reaction, and said that his contact happened in DC, and even though he lives in another neighborhood in DC, the whole city is the “same city/town/village” so he said yes. One of these respondents had an incorrect interpretation of this question.

After Round 1, we modified the question to read, “Did this traffic stop occur in the same city or town where you live?” This is similar to the wording used in the ACS, where they ask, "Is
the work location inside the limits of that city or town?” in the place of employment series.

During Round 2, six respondents were asked this question and two of them said “yes.” Most respondents did not have difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question, with the exception of one respondent who said “yes” when reporting that this traffic stop happened in the same county she lived in, but not necessarily the same city.

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to this question.

48. How many minutes would you say the traffic stop lasted?

________ number of minutes

During Round 1, ten respondents answered this question and they reported traffic stops lasting from about four to about 30 minutes.

Most respondents did not have difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question. During Round 1, one respondent reported that the traffic stop took about 30 minutes, but when reporting whether he believed the stop was an appropriate length of time (Q49), he thought about the entire event, including the traffic stop, the arrest and a trip to the police station. The respondent had a different focus from one question to the next. It was unclear whether the sponsor wanted to know about the actual stop time, or about the time of any events that followed as a result of the stop (such as an arrest). The sponsor let us know that these questions (Q48 and Q49) should focus only on the time that the actual stop lasted, not any events that followed as a result of the stop.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

During Round 2, six respondents answered the question and gave answers ranging from five to 20 minutes. One respondent’s problem was similar to the one observed during Round 1. He reported that the stop lasted for 15 minutes. He said the actual stop was about five minutes, but he reported 15 counting from when he had passed the police until they pulled him over.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

49. Do you believe this stop was an appropriate length of time?

1. Yes 2. No, too long 3. No, too short 4. Don’t know

Ten of 15 respondents for whom responses were recorded during Round 1 and Round 2, reported that they believed the stop was an appropriate length of time. Five of ten respondents reported that they believed the stop was too long.

Most respondents did not have difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question, with the exception of one respondent during Round 1. He had a different focus from the previous question, which asks about the same event. This respondent reported that the traffic stop took about 30 minutes (Q 48), but when reporting whether he believed the stop was an appropriate length of time, he thought about the entire event, including the traffic stop, the arrest and a trip to the police station. He was able to answer that he thought the stop lasted an appropriate amount of time, but he had a different focus from one question to the next. It was unclear whether the sponsor wanted to know about the actual stop time, or about the time of any events that followed as a result of the stop (such as an arrest). As noted previously, the sponsor let us know that these questions (Qs 48 and 49) should focus only on the time that the actual stop lasted, not any events that followed as a result of the stop.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

It should be noted that two respondents said “no” to this question, as they believed they should not have been pulled over at all, therefore, any length of time of the stop was not appropriate.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

50. Did the police officer(s) give a reason for stopping the vehicle?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

Fourteen of 16 respondents who were asked this question said “yes” to this question.

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

51a. Was the reason speeding?	1. Yes 2. No
51b. A vehicle defect?	1. Yes 2. No
51c. A record check?	1. Yes 2. No
51d. A roadside check for drunk drivers?	1. Yes 2. No
51e. A seatbelt violation?	1. Yes 2. No
51f. An illegal turn or illegal lane change?	1. Yes 2. No
51g. A stop sign or stop light violation?	1. Yes 2. No
51h. Using a cell phone while driving?	1. Yes 2. No
51i. Was there some other reason?	1. Yes (Please specify) 2. No

One respondent reported that he was both speeding and weaving in Q51a, but knows that speeding was part of why he was pulled over. Another respondent reported that he was pulled over for speeding as well as changing lanes without signaling.

It was not clear what a “record check” entailed. One of the four respondents for whom responses were recorded in Round 1 said “yes.” This one respondent included expired tags, while another excluded expired tags believing that a “record check” applied specifically to a car’s registration.

Prior to Round 2, we modified the question to read, “A record check (for example, a license plate, driver’s license, or vehicle registration).”

During Round 2, one of the three respondents who answered the question said “yes.” Respondents did not have difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question, though one respondent interrupted the interviewer before the whole question (including parenthesis) was read.

Other reasons for being pulled over mentioned by respondents included: having tinted windows, not displaying front tags, an expired inspection sticker and a failure to change lanes. The respondent who reported tinted windows almost reported them under a vehicle defect, but did not.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any further changes to this question.

52. Would you say that the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason for stopping you?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

Eleven of 15 respondents for whom responses were recorded said “yes” to this question.

Most respondents did not have difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question. However, one respondent said “yes and no.” The respondent felt that the officers were pulling him over to seek a fault as they were specifically looking to give him a ticket, and then happened to find that his break light was out. Another respondent said “no” at first, and then changed his response to “yes” because he said the officer had a legitimate reason to stop him but not to give him a ticket.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

53. During this contact were you given a traffic ticket? Please exclude any verbal or written warnings given to you by the police.

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

Ten respondents were asked this question during Round 1 and six said “yes.”

During Round 1, there was ambiguity about the meaning of a traffic ticket. One respondent received a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt during the traffic stop, but said “no” to this question because he was not sure if that counted as a traffic ticket. Another respondent said “no” because he received a work order, not a ticket. One said “yes” to this question, regarding a “fix it” ticket that he had received. It was unclear which of these tickets should have been reported as a traffic ticket and which should not.

After receiving guidance from the sponsors during Round 2, we modified the question to read, “During this contact were you give a ticket? Please exclude any verbal or written warnings given to you by the police.” During Round 2, respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any further changes to this question.

54. Earlier you said that the police stopped you for [Import from item 51a-51h]. Was this what you were ticketed for?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

All seven respondents for whom responses were recorded said “yes” to this question. There was no variation in response.

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

55. Were you ticketed for anything else?

1. Yes 2. No

Two of six respondents for whom responses were recorded said “yes” to this question. One was ticketed for driving with a suspended license, and one was ticketed for failure to maintain right of center.

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

56. What were you ticketed for?

­­

Four respondents were asked this question during Rounds 1 and 2. The tickets included driving with a suspended license, failure to maintain right of center, different addresses on registration and drivers license, and speeding.

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

57. Were you given a written warning or a verbal warning?

1. Verbal 2. Written 3. Don’t know

During Round 1, two respondents were asked this question. One respondent said “both” and another said he did not know. The respondent who said “both” got a ticket for a non-working taillight and a warning that if she is stopped again she would get a more severe ticket. The respondent who said “neither” was not sure how to answer as he received a work order from the police and he didn’t know where that fit. We also found that during Round 1, some respondents answered “yes” to this question, and the interviewer had to re-read the question.

For Round 2, we added response categories for “Both” and “Neither.”
The question now reads: Were you given a written warning or a verbal warning?
1. Verbal

2. Written

3. Both

4. Neither

5. Don’t know

During Round 2, two of three respondents for whom responses were recorded said “verbal” and one said “neither.”

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any further changes to this question. However, we do recommend per the sponsor’s feedback, that an FR instruction be added to indicate that a “work order” should be considered “Neither.”

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted. The FR instruction will read: “Any document provided to the respondent from the police that requires the respondent to have a repair or other service to their vehicle, such as a ‘work order’ or ‘order for required maintenance’ should be coded as ‘Neither’.”

58. Did you get out of the vehicle at any time because the police asked or told you to?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

Fourteen of 16 respondents for whom responses were recorded said “no” to this question.

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

59. Did the police do any of the following:
59a. Shout at you?	1. Yes 2. No
59b. Curse at you?	1. Yes 2. No
59c. Threaten to arrest you?	1. Yes 2. No
59d. Threaten you with a ticket or other sanction?	1. Yes 2. No
59e. Threaten to use force against you?	1. Yes 2. No
59f. Actually push or grab you?	1. Yes 2. No
59g. Handcuff you?	1. Yes 2. No
59h. Actually kick or hit you?	1. Yes 2. No
59i. Actually spray you with chemical or pepper spray?	1. Yes 2. No
59j. Actually use an electroshock weapon against you, such as a stun gun?	1. Yes 2. No
59k. Actually point a gun at you?	1. Yes 2. No
59l. Use any other type of force?	1. Yes (Please specify) 2. No

One respondent reported that the officer shouted at her in Q59a because he “got smart with a little force.” She felt as though the officer shouted at her because he “raised his voice beyond conversational tone.”

One respondent was confused by the Q59c, “Threaten to arrest you?” because he said the officers did not threaten to arrest him, they did arrest him. Ultimately he said “no,” which was the correct response.

Q59d, “Threaten you with a ticket or any other sanction,” which is also Q27d presented problems because respondents were not sure what “any other sanction” meant. One respondent said “yes” because to this respondent, “any other sanction” meant “the threat to arrest.” However, the respondent had already said “yes” to “threaten to arrest you;” therefore, the respondent reported the same instance twice. This is an over-report.

Prior to Round 2, we modified this sub-question, to read: “Threaten you with a ticket?” We added another sub-question after this one, to capture the “any other sanction” concept. The new question read, “Threaten you with something else I haven’t mentioned?”

During Round 2, all six respondents for whom responses were recorded said “no” to this new sub-question, showing no variation in response. Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this new sub-question.

An additional problem with the “Threaten you with a ticket?” sub-question, that took place during both rounds, is that a number of respondents who already did receive a ticket were confused by this question. One respondent said, “This one is hard to answer because I got a ticket, so, I don’t know. I want to say “no” because they didn’t “threaten” me. They gave me a ticket. But the way I think you mean it, I would say yes. If I took the question literally, I would say no.” This respondent answered correctly; however, he was confused and it took him a while to think and respond to this question.

Recommendation: As noted in Q27, in addition to our modifications for Round 2, we recommend incorporating a fill based on the question that asks respondents if they received a ticket (Q53). If respondents report that they have already received a ticket, we recommend that Q59d read, “Threaten you with other tickets.” For those who report that they have not received a ticket, we do not recommend any changes to Round 2’s version of this question.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted. Also, delete Q59e.

60. Do you feel any of the actions used or threatened against you were necessary?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

Five respondents were asked this question in Round 1. Only one said “yes” to this question. This respondent reported that he felt that it was necessary for him to be handcuffed by the police after he failed a field sobriety test. He thought it was “necessary” because he felt that “if police are going to take you into custody they are going to handcuff you.” This respondent thought of the word “necessary” in a technical way, “They’re not going to let you ride in the back of a police car un-handcuffed.”

During Round 1, a few respondents were not aware that this question referred to the previous question about actions used by the police. The list of questions was so long that respondents forgot what they had said “yes” to and they were not thinking about the questions in terms of “actions.” In addition, one respondent who reported in the previous question that the officer had shouted at him, did not think this question applied to him. He did not feel that shouting was a forcible action used against him. As a result, for Round 2, we modified the question to refer back to the specific actions that were reported in Q.59: “You mentioned that the police [Fill from Q. 59]. Do you feel any of these actions were necessary?”

During Round 2, respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any further changes to this question.

61. Do you feel any of the force used or threatened against you was excessive?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

One of six respondents for whom responses were recorded said “yes” to this question. This respondent said “yes” because she felt the officer, “Was trying to intimidate me and scare me by trying to threaten me with more tickets.”

Respondents did not have difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question. However, one respondent who said “no” because she reported “there was no force,” also said, “the fact that they shouldn’t have done it at all--that could be considered excessive,” but her final response was a “no.”

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

62. At any time during this contact did you…
62a. Disobey or interfere with the officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
62b. Try to get away?	1. Yes 2. No
62c. Push, grab, or hit the police officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
62d. Resist being handcuffed, arrested, or searched?	1. Yes 2. No
62e. Argue with the police officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
62f. Curse at, insult or verbally threaten police officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
62g. Complain to the officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
62h. Physically do anything else?	1. Yes (Please specify) 2. No

In Round 1, the “Argue with the police officer(s)?” sub-question e, was asked before sub-question g, “Complain to the officer(s)?” A number of respondents reported that they had argued with the officer(s), but when explaining the argument they mentioned that they had just “disagreed” and were unsure of how to answer this question. As a result some of the respondents took time to think and then said “no,” others said “yes” to both questions, while others returned to this question and said “no” once they heard that “complain” was a separate question. The sequence of the questions and the potential ambiguity of the concepts caused confusion. One respondent even suggested to the interviewer that “complain to the officer” be asked before “argue with the police officer.”

Prior to Round 2, we switched the order of the sub-questions, so that “Complain to the officer” was asked first, and “Argue with the police officer” was asked immediately afterwards.

During Round 2, respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question. Further, no one reported that they argued with the police officers. They recognized the difference in seriousness and were able to more accurately report their actions.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any further changes to this question.

63. Were you injured as a result of this contact?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

The one respondent for whom responses were recorded said “no” to this question. That respondent did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

64. Did you seek medical attention for these injuries?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

We didn’t have any respondents who were asked or who answered this question so we were not able to test it.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

65. During this contact, were you arrested?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

One of 15 respondents for whom responses were recorded said “yes” to this question.

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question. One respondent pointed out that we had already asked him if he had been arrested earlier in the questionnaire, and wanted to know why he was being asked the same question twice.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

66. At any time during this stop, did the police officer(s):
66a. ASK PERMISSION to conduct a vehicle search?	1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know
66b. Actually conduct a vehicle search?	1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

Ten respondents answered this question in Round 1 and all said “no” to both of these questions, showing no variation in response.

Respondents were asked about whether the officers asked permission to search their vehicle prior to being asked whether the officers actually searched their vehicle. Respondents were not focusing on the “permission” aspect of Q66a and were responding twice about whether their vehicles were searched. When responding to the “permission” question, Q66a, one respondent said that he didn’t think the officers went through his car, so his answer was “no.” This respondent was focusing on whether the search had actually happened.

As a result, for Round 2, we switched the order of the questions and asked “Actually conduct a vehicle search” before “ASK PERMISSION to conduct a vehicle search.”

During Round 2, six respondents were asked these questions and again all said “no” in response to both of them. No variation was observed. Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering these questions.

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to these questions.

66c. ASK PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?	1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know
66d. Actually search you, frisk you, or pat you down?	1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

Ten respondents were asked these questions in Round 1. One person said that he did not know whether the officers asked permission, but said that they did actually pat him down and search him.

This respondent’s answer to Q66c was, “They did, I guess they asked permission, I can’t recall. But they did pat me down and search me.” When the interviewer read the question again, this respondent said that he did not know. This respondent first told the interviewer “they did,” meaning they did search him and pat him down, and then focused on the permission part of the question.

Again, during Round 1, respondents were asked about whether the officers asked permission to search them prior to being asked whether the officers actually searched them. As with Q34 and Q66a and b, respondents were not focusing on the “permission” aspect of the question and were responding twice about whether they were searched.

As a result, for Round 2, we switched the order of the questions and asked “Actually search you, frisk you, or pat you down” before “ASK PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down.”

During Round 2, six respondents were asked this question and all of them said “no.” No variation was observed. Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering these questions.

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to these questions.

67. Whether or not the police officer(s) asked for PERMISSION, at any time during this stop did you GIVE the police officer(s):
67a. PERMISSION to conduct a vehicle search?	1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know
67b. PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?	1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

All 16 respondents for whom responses were recorded said “no” to both these questions.

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to these questions between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

68. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search the vehicle?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

The one respondent for whom responses were recorded said “no” to this question. This one respondent did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

69. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

The one respondent for whom responses were recorded said “yes” to this question. He said “yes” to this question because he felt that the police do this for their own safety.

This one respondent did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

70. During the search, did the police officer(s) find any illegal items, such as a weapon, drugs, or an open container of alcohol?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

The one respondent for whom responses were recorded said “no” to this question. This one respondent did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

71. Earlier you said that you were arrested and searched. Did the search occur before you were arrested?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

The one respondent for whom responses were recorded said “no” to this question.

This one respondent did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question. However, he hesitated before answering because he said he had to think about when he was searched. The respondent said he was searched after the officers handcuffed him.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

I. Outcome of Voluntary Contacts

72. [ Please tell me ONLY about the MOST RECENT contact you had with the police.] You mentioned contacting the police for [Fill from Q5/Q3]. Was this contact face-to-face with a police officer(s)?

1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked nine times, twice in Round 1 and seven in Round 2. Respondents encountered difficulty with this question when they had to think about multiple voluntary contacts, and especially when they had multiple voluntary contacts regarding the same incident or complaint.

While no changes were made to the wording of the introduction for Round 2, we included instructions about when to read the introduction: if more than one contact was reported in Q3 or more than one of the same type of contact was reported in Q5c. This made a connection between the introduction and the new question that we added to alleviate problems in identifying the most recent contact.

Despite these changes, during Round 2 this question was still problematic. For some respondents, this question was a problem because they had a single episode with multiple contacts. When that is the case, it is unclear how to proceed in this section, as these respondents perceive the entire single episode as their most recent contact. This is discussed in the “General Issue” section.

For another respondent, the problem was present within the question itself. After reading the instructions telling the respondents to report the most recent contact, the question then tells the interviewer to “Fill from Q3 or 5.” This fill does not take into account the most recent contact or type of contact that the respondent would have reported in Q5a or 5c, and nullifies the previous instruction. While interviewing this one respondent, the interviewer mistakenly read the question as we are recommending the question to read, and the respondent answered correctly. However, the interviewer later probed the respondent and asked him if he would have known which contact to report without the addition of “most recent” added into the question and he said no.

Recommendation: In addition to changes to the introduction, we recommend a slight change to the question to further emphasize the most recent contact. We recommend changing the question to read: “You mentioned contacting the police for the most recent [Q5c or 3]. Was this contact face-to-face with a police officer?”

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted.

73. How did you contact the police?

1. Called 911 2. Went to police station 3. Officer came to my house 4. Other  Specify 5. Don’t remember

This question was asked nine times, twice in Round 1 and seven times in Round 2. Respondents were unsure whether or not calling a non-emergency number (such as 311) was considered “calling 911.” This issue came up a number of times with respondents who answered “I called on my phone” and the interviewer then probed to ask if they called 911. One respondent reported “calling the sheriff.” It is unclear from the current answer format whether calling a non-emergency number is considered “other” or “called 911.”

No changes were made to this question between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We recommend either: a) re-wording option 1 to include non-emergency numbers [e.g. “Called 911 or a non-emergency number such as 311”], or b) adding a new response option to follow option 1 that is specifically to record those who called using a non-emergency number [e.g. “Called 311 or a non-emergency number”].

We would also like to recommend adding a FR’s note that would clarify how “calling a sheriff’s office” or other law enforcement office should be reported.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Change “Called 911” to “Called the police.” Also, add an FR instruction to indicate that all calls to law enforcement (e.g., sheriff) should be coded as “Called the police.”

74. Were the police helpful?

1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked nine times, twice in Round 1 and seven times in Round 2. Respondents answered “yes” six times and “no” three times, and did not have any difficulty understanding the question or responding.

No changes were made to this question between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

75. Did the situation improve after you contacted the police?

1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked seven times, once in Round 1 and six times in Round 2. Respondents answered “yes” four times and “no” three times. Some respondents asked if there was another choice besides “yes” or “no” and others mentioned being unsure what exactly the word “improve” means. Respondents had some difficulty in answering this question because the situations they were referring to varied greatly. In a few circumstances the reason the police were called in the first place was already resolved by the time they arrived, and some respondents acknowledged that there was “really nothing the police could do.” It would appear from this feedback that respondents are generally unsure of how to answer this question.

No changes were made between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We recommend adding a “Don’t know” response category to this question.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Recommendation accepted.

76. Were you satisfied with the outcome?

1. Yes 2. No

This question was asked nine times, twice in Round 1 and seven times in Round 2. Respondents answered “yes” seven times, and “no” twice. Respondents replied with words like “I guess so” and experienced confusion with this question for the same reasons as Q75. One respondent reported being “as satisfied as I can be right now” and others reported being satisfied because “they showed up” This feedback suggests that respondents are not completely certain of their response, and they are distinguishing between the outcome of the specific contact with the police and the outcome of the overall situation that the prompted them to contact the police. One respondent reported that the suspicious activity has decreased “but not because of anything the police did.”

No changes were made between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We recommend that the sponsor consider deleting the question.

Sponsor’s Feedback: Change the wording to, “Were you satisfied with the police response during your most recent contact?”

77. Would you be more or less likely to contact the police in the future for a SIMILAR problem?

1. More likely to call 2. Less likely to call 3. Don’t know

This question was asked twice in Round 1. One respondent answered “more likely” and the other said “I would be likely at the same rate.”

Since the response categories were not all inclusive, we added a new response category – Just as likely – for Round 2. The question read: “Would you be more likely, less likely, or just as likely to contact the police in the future for a SIMILAR problem?” and a fourth answer category “Just as likely” was added.

Out of the seven respondents in Round 2 of testing, three chose the option “just as likely.”

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to the question.

78. Would you be more or less likely to contact the police in the future for a DIFFERENT problem?

1. More likely to call 2. Less likely to call 3. Don’t know

This question was asked twice in Round 1. One respondent answered “more likely” and the other said, “To me I would be just as likely” but there is no answer category for “just as likely” as the question stood.

As with Q77, the question was revised for Round 2 to add an additional response category. The question read: “Would you be more likely, less likely, or just as likely to contact the police in the future for a DIFFERENT problem?” and a fourth answer category “Just as likely” was added.

Out of the seven respondents in Round 2 of testing, five chose the option “just as likely.”

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to this question.

79. About what time of day did this contact occur?

During Day 1. After 6am – 12 noon 2. After 12 noon – 6pm 3. Don’t know what time of day At Night 4. After 6pm – 12 midnight 5. After 12 midnight – 6am 6. Don’t know what time of night OR 7. Don’t know whether day or night

This question was asked twice in Round 1. Respondents were able to recall accurately how they remembered the time of the contact when probed, and all answers fit neatly into the existing response categories.

This question is a repeat of Q14 and Q44. As noted previously, problems were observed at Q44. As a result the question was revised for Round 2 to read: “About what time of day did this contact occur?” We also un-bolded the response category headings, so that the interviewer does not attempt to read the words “during day, at night, and or” out loud to the respondent.

This question was asked seven times in Round 2, and respondents answered with greater ease.

Recommendation: We recommend no further changes to this question.

80. How many minutes would you say this contact lasted?

__________ number of minutes

This question was asked nine times, twice in Round 1 and seven times in Round 2. Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding the meaning of this question or giving an answer. However, those who had multiple voluntary contacts with the police (especially when all the contacts were regarding the same incident) had some trouble deciding which contact to reference. As noted in the general issues section, it may not be possible to get the respondent to correctly identify the most recent contact when there were multiple contacts in an incident.

No changes were made between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

81. Do you believe the police spent an appropriate amount of time with you?

1. Yes 2. No, too much time 3. No, too little time 4. Don’t know

This question was asked nine times, twice in Round 1 and seven times in Round 2. All nine respondents answered “yes”, and did not display any difficulty deciding on an answer or understanding the question.

No changes were made between the first and second rounds of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

82. Did the police do any of the following:
a. Shout at you?	1. Yes 2. No
b. Curse at you?	1. Yes 2. No
c. Threaten to arrest you?	1. Yes 2. No
d. Threaten you with a ticket or other sanction?	1. Yes 2. No
e. Threaten to use force against you?	1. Yes 2. No
f. Actually push or grab you?	1. Yes 2. No
g. Handcuff you?	1. Yes 2. No
h. Actually kick or hit you?	1. Yes 2. No
i. Actually spray you with a chemical or pepper spray?	1. Yes 2. No
j. Actually use an electroshock weapon against you, such as a stun gun?	1. Yes 2. No
k. Actually point gun at you?	1. Yes 2. No
l. Use any other type of force?	1. Yes  Specify 2. No
83. Do you feel any of the actions used or threatened against you were necessary?	1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

84. Do you feel any of the force used or threatened against you was excessive?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

85. At any time during this contact did you…
a. Disobey or interfere with the officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
b. Try to get away?	1. Yes 2. No
c. Push, grab, or hit the police officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
d. Resist being handcuffed, arrested, or searched?	1. Yes 2. No
e. Argue with the police officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
f. Curse at, insult, or verbally threaten police officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
g. Complain to the officer(s)?	1. Yes 2. No
h. Physically do anything else?	1. Yes  Specify 2. No

86. Were you injured as a result of this contact?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

87. Did you seek medical attention for these injuries?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

88. During this contact, were you arrested?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

89. At any time during this stop, did the police officer(s):
a. ASK PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?	1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know
b. Actually search you, frisk you, or pat you down?	1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

90. Whether or not the police officer(s) asked for PERMISSION, at any time during this stop did you GIVE the police officer(s) PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

91. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

92. During the search, did the police officer(s) find any illegal items, such as weapons, drugs, or an open container of alcohol?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

93. Earlier you said that you were arrested and searched. Did the search occur before you were arrested?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

Questions 82-93 were asked twice during Round 1 of testing. Respondents answered “no” for all questions except in one instance.

These questions are not relevant to situations involving voluntary contact with police, and respondents were confused and burdened by a series of questions that do not apply to their situation. One respondent who experienced multiple contacts with police was greatly confused by these questions, and switched his reference contact to a non-voluntary incident, because he thought that is what these questions were referring to.

These questions were all deleted for Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation for Questions 82-93: We recommend that these questions be deleted.

94. Looking back on this contact, do you feel the police behaved properly?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

All respondents were asked this question. Twenty-five of them said “yes” to this question. Those who said “no” to this question explained why they did so. One felt as though the police “went too far.” She felt as though the officers should have let her go after they saw she had no violations, and they did not. Another mentioned that the officer pulled her over but did not explain why, and had a poor attitude. Another mentioned that she was not doing anything to “warrant a traffic stop,” and felt as though the police pulled her over just to hassle her.

Most respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question. However, one respondent said “yes” to this question, after discussing contrary feelings during the interview. When probed about why he said “yes,” he said that, “The pulling over was bogus, but he did do his job well.” He felt that he should not have been pulled over in the first place, but the officer behaved properly once he did pull him over. It should be noted that another respondent (mentioned above) who said “no” to this question, did so for this very reason.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

95. Did you file a complaint against the police?

1. Yes 2. No

All ten respondents for whom responses were recorded said “no” to this question, showing no variation in response.

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

96. With whom did you file the complaint?

1. the police 2. citizen review board 3. Don’t know

We didn’t have any respondents who were asked or who answered this question so we were not able to test it.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

97. Looking back on this contact, do you feel the police treated you respectfully?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

All respondents were asked this question. Twenty-five of them said “yes” to this question. One respondent said “no” because she reported that the officer yelled at her. Another felt “scolded” by the officer. Another said “no” because he was ticketed for a friend’s bad behavior, and felt that the police were behaving aggressively with him because of his friend.

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

120. During any of your EARLIER contacts with police in the last 12 months, were you the DRIVER in a TRAFFIC STOP?

1. Yes 2. No

All five respondents for whom responses were recorded said “no” to this question, showing no variation in response.

Respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

121. During any of EARLIER contacts with police in the last 12 months, did the police USE or THREATEN TO USE force against you?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know

One of 17 respondents for whom responses were recorded said “yes” to this question. To this respondent, “force” meant being told by the officer that she was getting arrested, and she referred to comments made such as, “Stand right there,” “Turn around,” and “Sit down.” The respondent also felt as if he officer’s body language was forceful. It is not clear whether this respondent answered this question correctly or not.

Most of the respondents did not have any difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

Respondents did not have difficulty understanding or correctly answering this question.

No changes were made to this question between Round 1 and Round 2 of testing.

Recommendation: We do not recommend any changes to this question.

Attachment A

2011 PPCS QUESTIONNAIRE – Round 1 Version

A. CONTACT SCREEN QUESTIONS

INTRO 1 Now I would like to ask some questions about any contacts you may have had with the police. [We estimate the survey will take between 2 to 10 minutes depending on your responses.]

1. Before I get to the questions about contacts you may have had with the police, I would like to find out how often you usually drive. Do you currently drive… (Read answer categories.)

1 □ Everyday or almost every day?

2 □ A few days a week?

3 □ A few days a month?

4 □ A few times a year?

5 □ Never?

2. Do you know any police officers that work in your neighborhood by name or by sight? 1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3. I am going to read some questions about experiences you may have had seeking help or assistance from the police.

In the last 12 months, have you:

1. Reported a crime to the police?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

2. Reported a non-crime emergency such as a traffic accident or medical emergency to the police?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3. Reported a suspicious person or disturbance to police?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

4. Contacted police about neighborhood concerns or problems?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

5. Participated in block watch or other anti-crime programs WITH police?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

6. Approached or sought help from the police in the last 12 months for something I haven’t mentioned?

1 □ Yes - Please specify ____________________________________________________

2 □ No

The following are questions about any time in the last 12 months when police have initiated contact with you. In the last 12 months, have you:

7. Been stopped by the police while in a public place, but not in a moving vehicle?

(NOTE: person could be sitting in a parked vehicle)

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

8. Been stopped by the police while driving a motor vehicle?

(NOTE: a ‘motor vehicle’ includes motorcycle, bus, private and commercial cars, or trucks)

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

9. Been the passenger in a motor vehicle that was stopped by the police?

(NOTE: a ‘motor vehicle’ includes motorcycle, bus, private and commercial cars, or trucks)

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

10. Been involved in a traffic accident that was reported to police?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

11. Been arrested?

1 □ Yes – Skip to item 4

2 □ No – Ask Check item A

Check Item A Are all questions 3g-3k answered ‘No’?

1 □ Yes – Ask 3l

2 □ No – Skip to item 4

12. Have you EVER been stopped or approached by the police in the last 12 months?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

Check Item B Did the respondent answer ‘Yes’ to at least one item, a-l, in question 3?

1 □ Yes - Ask item 4

2 □ No – END INTERVIEW

4. How many face-to-face contacts did you have with the police during the last 12 months?

(Note: A face-to-face contact is defined as one that involved verbal communication or contact in which the officer turns his or her direct interaction towards you.)

It may be the case that the respondent has contacted the police in the last 12 months but the contact was NOT face-to-face. Thus a response of ‘0’ is appropriate to Q4.)

_____________ (000-999) Number of contacts – Go to Check Item C

Check Item C Did the respondent report more than one contact with police in item 4?

1 □ Yes - Skip to 5

2 □ No - Check Item C1

Check Item C1 If one or less contacts are reported in Q4 and:

Voluntary Contact At least one category a-d,f, j in item 3 are answered ‘Yes’ - Skip to item 72

Block watch else if category e in item 3 is answered ‘Yes’ - Skip to Check Item V (on page 22)

Street stop else if category g in item 3 is answered ‘Yes’ – Skip to item 6

Traffic stop else if either of categories h or i in item 3 are answered ‘Yes’ - Skip to item 39

Arrest or other contact else if either categories k or l in item 3 are answered ‘Yes’ – Skip to item 94

5. Which of those contacts that you just mentioned was the most recent?

Field Representative - Only read the response options marked ‘Yes’ in 3a-j.

1 □ Reported crime to police – Skip to 72

2 □ Reported an emergency - Skip to 72

3□ Reported a suspicious person – Skip to 72

4 □ Contacted police about neighborhood issues – Skip to 72

5 □ Participated in block watch – Skip to CHECK ITEM V

6 □ Sought help from police – Skip to 72

7 □ Been stopped by police while in a public place but not in a vehicle – Skip to 6

8 □ Been stopped by police while driving – Skip to 39

9 □ Been a passenger in a car that was stopped by police – Skip to 39

10 □ Been involved in a traffic accident that was reported to police – Skip to 72

A. Characteristics of Street Stop

(Ask if ‘Yes’ response to category g in Q3 or response 7 in Q5)

6. Earlier you mentioned having contact with police while in a public place but not in a vehicle. Did the police give a reason for stopping you?

1 □ Yes – Ask 7

2 □ No - Skip to Item 9

7. What was the reason given for this stop?

Did the police…

a. suspect you of something?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

b. match you to the description of someone they were looking for?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

Were the police…

c. seeking information about another person?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

d. investigating a crime?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

e. providing a service or assistance to you?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

Did someone you were with…

f. match the description of someone the police were looking for?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

Was someone you were with…

g. suspected of something?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

h. Was there some other reason?

1 □ Yes  Please specify_______________________________________________

2 □ No

8. In your initial contact with police, was there one or more than one officer present?

1 □ One officer

2 □ More than one officer

3□ Don’t know

9. Would you say the officer(s) had a legitimate reason for stopping you?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

Check Item C2 Is box ‘1’ marked in question 8?
1 □ Yes – Skip to 10

2 □ No – Check Item C3

Check Item C3 Is box ‘2’ marked in question 8?

1 □ Yes – Skip to 12

2 □ No – Skip to 14

10. Was the police officer Hispanic or Latino?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3□ Don’t know

11. Was the race of the police officer White, Black, or some other race?

1 □ White - SKIP to 14

2 □ Black - SKIP to 14

3 □ Some other race - SKIP to 14

4 □ Don’t know - SKIP to 14

12. Was one or more of the police officers of Hispanic or Latino origin?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

13. Were the police officers:

(Read answer categories 1-7.)

1 □ All White?

2 □ All Black?

3 □ All of some other race?

4 □ Mostly White?

5 □ Mostly Black?

6 □ Mostly some other race?

7 □ Equally mixed?

8 □ Don’t know race of any/some

14. About what time did this contact occur?

During day

1 □ After 6 a.m. - 12 noon

2 □ After 12 noon - 6 p.m.

3 □ Don’t know what time of day

At night

4 □ After 6 p.m. - 12 midnight

5 □ After 12 midnight - 6 a.m.

6 □ Don’t know what time of night

OR

7 □ Don’t know whether day or night

15. Were there any other persons with you at the time of the stop?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No- SKIP to Item 17

16. How many other persons were with you at the time of the stop?

______________(01-99) Number of persons

17. Were you stopped in the same city/town/village where you live?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

18. How many minutes would you say this stop lasted?

______________(001-999) Number of minutes

19. Do you believe this stop was an appropriate length of time?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No, too long

3 □ No, too short

4 □ Don’t know

B. Outcome of Street Stop

(Ask if ‘Yes’ response to category g in Q3 or response 7 in Q5)

20. During this contact were you ticketed or given a warning?

1 □ Warning - ASK item 22

2 □ Ticketed - SKIP to item 21

3 □ Neither - SKIP to item 23

4 □ Don’t know - SKIP to item 23

21. What were you ticketed for?

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________ SKIP to item 23

22. Were you given a written warning or a verbal warning?

1 □ Verbal – Ask 23

2 □ Written – Ask 23

3 □ Don’t know – Ask 23

23. Did the police give you a direct command during this contact?

1 □ Yes – Ask 24

2 □ No – Skip to 27

3 □ Don’t know/remember – Skip to 27

24. Did you comply with the request of the police officer(s)?

1 □ Yes – Ask item 25

2 □ No - Skip to item 26

3 □ Don’t know – Skip to item 27

25. Did you comply with the officer’s request because:

YES NO

a. it was a police officer? 1 □ 2 □

b. the officer was respectful or considerate? 1 □ 2 □

c. the officer was fair? 1 □ 2 □

d. the officer convinced you it was the right thing to do? 1 □ 2 □

e. the officer was trying to help? 1 □ 2 □

f. the officer pushed you to? 1 □ 2 □

g. the officer yelled at you? 1 □ 2 □

h. the officer handcuffed you? 1 □ 2 □

i. the officer threatened to use a weapon? 1 □ 2 □

j. the officer issued another threat? 1 □ 2 □

k. the officer aimed a weapon at you? 1 □ 2 □

l. Don’t know/remember why? 1 □ 2 □

m. Other reason? – Please specify_______________________________ 1 □ 2 □

26. Did you fail to comply with the request of the police officer because:

YES NO

a. you don’t trust police? 1 □ 2 □

b. the police were hassling you? 1 □ 2 □

c. you were already late for something? 1 □ 2 □

d. the officer was not helpful? 1 □ 2 □

e. the officer was not respectful or considerate? 1 □ 2 □

f. the officer was not being fair? 1 □ 2 □

g. it was not the right thing to do? 1 □ 2 □

h. the officer yelled at you? 1 □ 2 □

i. the officer handcuffed you? 1 □ 2 □

j. the officer threatened to use a weapon? 1 □ 2 □

k. the officer issued another threat? 1 □ 2 □

l. the officer aimed a weapon at you? 1 □ 2 □

m. the officer was disrespecting you? 1 □ 2 □

n. the officer was rude? 1 □ 2 □

o. Don’t know/remember why? 1 □ 2 □

p. Other reason? – Please specify_______________________________ 1 □ 2 □

27. Did the police do any of the following:

YES NO

a. Shout at you? 1 □ 2 □

b. Curse at you? 1 □ 2 □

c. Threaten to arrest you? 1 □ 2 □

d. Threaten you with a ticket or other sanction? 1 □ 2 □

e. Threaten to use force against you? 1 □ 2 □

f. Actually push or grab you? 1 □ 2 □

g. Handcuff you? 1 □ 2 □

h. Actually kick or hit you? 1 □ 2 □

i. Actually spray you with chemical or pepper spray? 1 □ 2 □

j. Actually use an electroshock weapon against you, such as a stun gun? 1 □ 2 □

k. Actually point a gun at you? 1 □ 2 □

l. Use any other type of force? 1 □ 2 □

If 27l = ‘Yes’, Please specify ____________________________________

Check Item C4 Is there at least one ‘Yes’ response in 27a-l?

Yes – Ask 28

No – Skip to 30

28. Do you feel any of the actions used or threatened against you were necessary?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

29. Do you feel any of the force used or threatened against you was excessive?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

30. At any time during this contact, did you ...

YES NO

a. Disobey or interfere with the officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

b. Try to get away? 1 □ 2 □

c. Push, grab, or hit the police officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

d. Resist being handcuffed, arrested, or searched? 1 □ 2 □

e. Argue with the police officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

f. Curse at, insult or verbally threaten police officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

g. Complain to the officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

h. Physically do anything else? 1 □ 2 □

If 30h = ‘Yes’, Please specify  ______________________________________________

Check Item D - Is there at least one ‘Yes’ response in items 27f-j, l or 30b-d, h? (Was there physical interaction between the respondent and the police that could have resulted in injuries?)

Yes – Ask Q31

No – Skip to Q33

31. Were you injured as a result of this contact?

1 □ Yes – Ask 32

2 □ No – Skip to item 33

3 □ Don’t know– Skip to item 33

32. Did you seek medical attention for these injuries?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

33. During this contact, were you arrested?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

34. At any time during this stop, did the police officer(s):

a.) ASK PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

b.) Actually search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

35. Whether or not the police officer(s) asked for PERMISSION, at any time during this stop did you GIVE the police officer(s) PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

Check Item E Is Item 34b marked ‘Yes’? (Respondent was personally searched)

1 □ Yes - Ask Item 36

2 □ No - Skip to Check Item F

3 □ Don’t know - Skip to Check Item F

36. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

37. During the search, did the police officer(s) find any illegal items, such as a weapon, drugs, or an open container of alcohol?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No- SKIP to Check Item F

3 □ Don’t know- SKIP to Check Item F

Check Item F Is box ‘1’ marked in item 33 and 34b? (Respondent was arrested and personally searched.)

1 □ Yes - Ask item 38

2 □ No - SKIP to Item 94

38. Earlier you said that you were arrested and searched. Did the search occur before you were arrested?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No SKIP to Item 94

3 □ Don’t know

C. Characteristics of Traffic Stop

(Ask if respondent answers ‘Yes’ to 3h or 3i or responses 8 or 9 are selected in Q5.)

39. In your initial contact with police, was there one or more than one officer present? 1 □ One officer - Ask 40

2 □ More than one officer - Ask 42

3 □ Don’t know/remember - Ask 44

40. Was the police officer of Hispanic or Latino origin?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

41. Was the race of the police officer White, Black, or some other race?

1 □ White - SKIP to Item 44

2 □ Black - SKIP to Item 44

3 □ Some other race - SKIP to Item 44

4 □ Don’t know - SKIP to Item 44

42. Was one or more of the police officers of Hispanic or Latino origin?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

43. Were the police officers:

(Read answer categories 1-7.)

1 □ All White?

2 □ All Black?

3 □ All of some other race?

4 □ Mostly White?

5 □ Mostly Black?

6 □ Mostly some other race?

7 □ Equally mixed?

8 □ Don’t know race of any/some

44. About what time did this contact occur?

During day

1 □ After 6 a.m. - 12 noon

2 □ After 12 noon - 6 p.m.

3 □ Don’t know what time of day

At night

4 □ After 6 p.m. - 12 midnight

5 □ After 12 midnight - 6 a.m.

6 □ Don’t know what time of night

OR

7 □ Don’t know whether day or night

Check Item G - Is 3h marked ‘Yes’ or response ‘8’ selected in Q5? (Respondent was the driver during

a traffic stop)

1 □ Yes – Ask 45

2 □ No – Skip to 47

45. Were there any other persons in the vehicle with you at the time of the traffic stop?

1 □ Yes – ASK item 46

2 □ No – SKIP to item 47

46. How many other persons were in the vehicle with you at the time of the traffic stop?

_________ (01-99) Number of persons

47. Did this traffic stop occur in the same city/town/village where you live?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

48. How many minutes would you say the traffic stop lasted?

_________ (001-999) Number of minutes

49. Do you believe this stop was an appropriate length of time?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No, too long

3 □ No, too short

4 □ Don’t know

D. Reasons for Traffic Stop

50. Did the police officer(s) give a reason for stopping the vehicle?

1 □ Yes - ASK item 51

2 □ No - SKIP to item 52

3 □ Don’t know - SKIP to item 52

51a. Was the reason speeding?

1 □ Yes - SKIP to item 52

2 □ No

51b. A vehicle defect?

1 □ Yes - SKIP to item 52

2 □ No

51c. A record check?

1 □ Yes - SKIP to item 52

2 □ No

51d. A roadside check for drunk drivers?

1 □ Yes - SKIP to item 52

2 □ No

51e. A seatbelt violation?

1 □ Yes - SKIP to item 52

2 □ No

51f. An illegal turn or illegal lane change?

1 □ Yes - SKIP to item 52

2 □ No

51g. A stop sign or stop light violation?

1 □ Yes - SKIP to item 52

2 □ No

51h. Using a cell phone while driving?

1 □ Yes - SKIP to item 52

2 □ No

51i. Was there some other reason?

1 □ Yes – Please specify ______________________________________then SKIP to item 52

2 □ No

52. Would you say that the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason for stopping you?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

F. Outcome of Traffic Stop

53. During this contact were you given a traffic ticket? Please exclude any verbal or written warnings given to you by the police.

1 □ Yes - Go to Check Item H

2 □ No - SKIP to item 57

3 □ Don’t know - SKIP to item 57

Check Item H Is item 3h marked ‘Yes’ or box ‘8’ in question 5 marked ‘Yes’ and question 50 marked ‘Yes’? (Respondent was the driver of a vehicle in which the police gave reason for traffic stop)

1 □ Yes - Ask item 54

2 □ No - Skip to item 56

54. Earlier you said that the police stopped you for Import from item 51a-51h . Was this what you were ticketed for?

1 □ Yes - SKIP to item 55

2 □ No - ASK item 56

3 □ Don’t know - ASK item 56

55. Were you ticketed for anything else?

1 □ Yes - Ask item 56

2 □ No - Skip to item 58

56. What were you ticketed for?

Please specify _______________________________________ SKIP TO item 58

57. Were you given a written warning or a verbal warning?

1 □ Verbal

2 □ Written

3 □ Don’t know

58. Did you get out of the vehicle at any time because the police asked or told you to?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

59. Did the police do any of the following:

YES NO

a. Shout at you? 1 □ 2 □

b. Curse at you? 1 □ 2 □

c. Threaten to arrest you? 1 □ 2 □

d. Threaten you with a ticket or other sanction? 1 □ 2 □

e. Threaten to use force against you? 1 □ 2 □

f. Actually push or grab you? 1 □ 2 □

g. Handcuff you? 1 □ 2 □

h. Actually kick or hit you? 1 □ 2 □

i. Actually spray you with chemical or 1 □ 2 □

pepper spray? 1 □ 2 □

j. Actually use an electroshock weapon 1 □ 2 □

against you, such as a stun gun? 1 □ 2 □

k. Actually point a gun at you? 1 □ 2 □

l. Use any other type of force? Please specify 1 □ 2 □

____________________________________

Check Item I Is at least one category, a-l, marked ‘Yes’ in question 59?

Yes – Ask 60

No – Skip to 62

60. Do you feel any of the actions used or threatened against you were necessary?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

61. Do you feel any of the force used or threatened against you was excessive?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

62. At any time during this contact, did you ...

YES NO

a. Disobey or interfere with the officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

b. Try to get away? 1 □ 2 □

c. Push, grab, or hit the police officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

d. Resist being handcuffed, arrested, or searched? 1 □ 2 □

e. Argue with the police officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

f. Curse at, insult or verbally threaten

police officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

g. Complain to the officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

h. Physically do anything else? Please specify 1 □ 2 □

____________________________________

Check Item J Is at least one category 59f-j, l or 62b-d, h answered ‘Yes’? (Was there physical interaction between the respondent and the police that could have resulted in injuries?) Yes – Ask 63

No – Skip to 65

63. Were you injured as a result of this contact?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

64. Did you seek medical attention for these injuries?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

65. During this contact, were you arrested?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

66. At any time during this stop, did the police officer(s):

a. ASK PERMISSION to conduct a vehicle search?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

b. Actually conduct a vehicle search?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

c. ASK PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

d. Actually search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

67. Whether or not the police officer(s) asked for PERMISSION, at any time during this stop did you GIVE the police officer(s)...

a. PERMISSION to conduct a vehicle search?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

b. PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

Check Item K Is item 66b marked ‘Yes’ (Police conducted a vehicle search)?

1 □ Yes - Ask Item 68

2 □ No – Skip to Check Item L

3 □ Don’t know - Skip to Check Item L

68. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search the vehicle?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

Check Item L Is Item 66d marked ‘Yes’(Police searched respondent)?

1 □ Yes - Ask Item 69

2 □ No - Skip to Check Item M

3 □ Don’t know - Skip to Check Item M

69. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

Check Item M Is box 1 marked in item 66b or item 66d? (Did the police officer(s) search the vehicle OR the respondent?)

1 □ Yes - Ask item 70

2 □ No - SKIP to Item 94

70. During the search, did the police officer(s) find any illegal items, such as a weapon, drugs, or an open container of alcohol?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

Check item N Is box ‘1’ marked in item 65 and box 1 marked in item 66b or 66d? (Was the respondent arrested and a search of vehicle or respondent performed?)

1 □ Yes - ASK item 71

2 □ No - SKIP to Item 94

71. Earlier you said that you were arrested and searched. Did the search occur before you were arrested?

1 □ Yes - SKIP to Item 94

2 □ No - SKIP to Item 94

3 □ Don’t know - SKIP to Item 94

I. Outcome of Voluntary Contacts

(Ask if ‘Yes’ is answered to at least one category a-d, f, j in Q3 or Q5 = 1-4, 6, or 10)

72. Field Representative – Read INTRO if more than one contact with the police was reported (Q4 > 1).

INTRO - Please tell me ONLY about the MOST RECENT contact you had with the police.

You mentioned contacting the police for … (fill from item 5[if more than one contact is reported] else fill from item 3). Was this contact face-to-face with a police officer(s)?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

73. How did you contact the police?

1 □ Called 911

2 □ Went to police station

3 □ Officer came to my house

4 □ Other – Please specify  _____________________

5 □ Don’t remember

74. Were the police helpful?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

75. Did the situation improve after you contacted the police?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

76. Were you satisfied with the outcome?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

77. Would you be more or less likely to contact the police in the future for a SIMILAR problem?

1 □ More likely to call

2 □ Less likely to call

3 □ Don’t know

78. Would you be more or less likely to contact the police in the future for a DIFFERENT problem?

1 □ More likely to call

2 □ Less likely to call

3 □ Don’t know

79. About what time did this contact occur?

During day

1 □ After 6 a.m. - 12 noon

2 □ After 12 noon - 6 p.m.

3 □ Don’t know what time of day

At night

4 □ After 6 p.m. - 12 midnight

5 □ After 12 midnight - 6 a.m.

6 □ Don’t know what time of night

OR

7 □ Don’t know whether day or night

80. How many minutes would you say this contact lasted?

______________ (001-999) Number of minutes

81. Do you believe the police spent an appropriate amount of time with you?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No, too much time

3 □ No, too little time

4□ Don’t know

Check Item P Is item 72 answered “Yes’ (The voluntary contact was face-to-face)?

Yes – Ask 82

No – Skip to 94

82. Did the police do any of the following:

YES NO

a. Shout at you? 1 □ 2 □

b. Curse at you? 1 □ 2 □

c. Threaten to arrest you? 1 □ 2 □

d. Threaten you with a ticket or other sanction? 1 □ 2 □

e. Threaten to use force against you? 1 □ 2 □

f. Actually push or grab you? 1 □ 2 □

g. Handcuff you? 1 □ 2 □

h. Actually kick or hit you? 1 □ 2 □

i. Actually spray you with chemical or 1 □ 2 □

pepper spray? 1 □ 2 □

j. Actually use an electroshock weapon 1 □ 2 □

against you, such as a stun gun? 1 □ 2 □

k. Actually point a gun at you? 1 □ 2 □

l. Use any other type of force? 1 □ 2 □

If 82l = ‘Yes’ please specify _____________________________________________

Check Item Q Is at least one category, a-l, marked ‘Yes’ in question 82?

Yes – Ask 83

No – Skip to 85

83. Do you feel any of the actions used or threatened against you were necessary?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

84. Do you feel any of the force used or threatened against you was excessive?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

85. At any time during this contact, did you ...

YES NO

a. Disobey or interfere with the officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

b. Try to get away? 1 □ 2 □

c. Push, grab, or hit the police officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

d. Resist being handcuffed, arrested, or searched? 1 □ 2 □

e. Argue with the police officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

f. Curse at, insult or verbally threaten

police officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

g. Complain to the officer(s)? 1 □ 2 □

h. Physically do anything else? Please specify 1 □ 2 □

____________________________________

Check Item R Is at least one category 82f-j, l or 85b-d, h answered ‘Yes’? (Was there physical interaction between the respondent and the police that could have resulted in injuries?)

Yes – Ask 86

No – Skip to 88

86. Were you injured as a result of this contact?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

87. Did you seek medical attention for these injuries?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

88. During this contact, were you arrested?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

89. At any time during this stop, did the police officer(s):

a.) ASK PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

b). Actually search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

90. Whether or not the police officer(s) asked for PERMISSION, at any time during this stop did you GIVE the police officer(s) PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down? 1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

Check Item S Is Item 89b marked ‘Yes’? (Respondent was searched.)

1 □ Yes - Ask Item 91

2 □ No - Skip to Check Item T

3 □ Don’t know - Skip to Check Item T

91. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

92. During the search, did the police officer(s) find any illegal items, such as a weapon, drugs, or an open container of alcohol?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

Check Item T Is box 1 marked in item 88 and 89b? (Did the police officer(s) arrest and search the respondent?)

1 □ Yes - Ask item 93

2 □ No - SKIP to Item 94

93. Earlier you said that you were arrested and searched. Did the search occur before you were arrested?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

94. Looking back on this contact, do you feel the police behaved properly?

1 □ Yes – SKIP to Item 97

2 □ No - ASK item 95

3 □ Don’t know – Skip to Item 95

95. Did you file a complaint against the police?

1 □ Yes – SKIP to Item 96

2 □ No - ASK item 97

96. With whom did you file the complaint?

1 □ the police

2 □ citizen review board

3 □ Don’t know

97. Looking back on this contact, do you feel the police treated you respectfully?

1 □ Yes - Go to Check Item V

2 □ No -Go to Check Item V

3 □ Don’t know - Go to Check Item V

Check Item V Is the entry in item 4 more than “1”? (Did the respondent have more than one face-to-face contact in the last 12 months?)

1 □ Yes - Go to Check Item W

2 □ No – SKIP to Check Item Z

Check Item W Is box 1 marked in item 3h? (Was the respondent the driver in a traffic stop in the most recent contact?)

1□ Yes - SKIP to Check Item X

2□ No – ASK item 120

120. During any of your EARLIER contacts with police in the last 12 months, were you the DRIVER in a TRAFFIC STOP?

1 □ Yes – Go to Check Item X

2 □ No – Go to Check Item X

Check Item X Is the response to item 4 more than ‘1’ and is at least one box marked ‘Yes’ in questions 27, 59 , or 82? (Force was used or threatened against the respondent in the most recent contact?)

1 □ Yes – SKIP to Check Item Z

2 □ No – ASK Item 121

121. During any of your EARLIER contacts with police in the last 12 months, did the police USE or THREATEN TO USE force against you?

1 □ Yes

2 □ No

3 □ Don’t know

Check Item Z Is this the last household member to be interviewed?

1 □ Yes –Thank the respondent for their participation and END SUPPLEMENT

2 □ No – Thank the respondent and Interview next NCVS household member

Attachment B

Final Recommendations for the 2012 Public Police Contact Survey

A. CONTACT SCREEN QUESTIONS

INTRO: Now I would like to ask some questions about any contacts you may have had with the police. {We estimate the survey will take between 2 to 10 minutes depending on your responses.}

1. Before I get to the questions about contacts you may have had with the police, I would like to find out how often you usually drive? Do you currently drive… (Read answer categories.)

1. Everyday or almost every day?

2. A few days a week?

3. A few days a month?

4. A few times a year?

5. Never?

2. Do you know any police officers that work in your neighborhood by name or by sight?

1. Yes

2. No

3. I am going to read some questions about experiences you may have had seeking help or assistance from the police. Have you approached or sought help from the police for any of the following reasons in the last 12 months?

a. Have you reported any kind of crime, disturbance, or suspicious activity to the police?

1. Yes

2. No

b. Have you reported a non-crime emergency such as a traffic accident or medical emergency to the police?

1. Yes

2. No

c. Have you participated in block watch or other anti-crime programs WITH police?

1. Yes

2. No

d. Have you approached or sought help from the police in the last 12 months for something I haven’t mentioned?

1. Yes  Specify ______________________________

2. No

The following are questions about any time in the last 12 months when police have initiated contact with you. In the last 12 months:

e. Have you been stopped by the police while in a public place, but not a moving vehicle? This includes being in a parked vehicle?

1. Yes

2. No

f. Have you been stopped by the police while driving a motor vehicle?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Have you been the passenger in a motor vehicle that was stopped by police?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Have you been involved in a traffic accident that was reported to the police?

1. Yes

2. No

i. Have you been arrested?

1. Yes

2. No

j. Have you been stopped or approached by the police in the last 12 months for something I haven’t mentioned?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM A: Did the respondent answer ‘Yes’ to at least one item, a-j, in Q3?

1. Yes  Ask Question 4

2. No  End Interview

4. Thinking about the times you initiated contact with the police and the times they initiated contact with you, how many face-to-face contacts did you have with the police during the last 12 months? (NOTE: A face-to-face contact is defined as one that involved verbal communication or contact in which the officer turns his or her direct interaction towards you.)

______________________ (0-999) Number of contacts

CHECK ITEM B: Did the respondent report more than one type of contact with police in question 3a-j? (NOT including 3d and 3j)

1. Yes  Skip to 5b

2. No  Ask Q5a

5a. You mentioned [Fill from Q3]. Did this happen more than once in the last 12 months?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM B1:

Voluntary Contact (Q3a, OR Q3b, OR Q3d, OR Q3h) Skip to Q71

Block Watch (Q3c) Skip to CHECK ITEM R

Street Stop (Q3e) Skip to Q6

Traffic Stop (Q3f OR Q3g) Skip to Q38

Arrest or other contact (Q3i OR Q3j) Skip to Q80

5b. You just mentioned several contacts with the police: [Fill from Q3]. Which of these was the most recent?

___________________________ (answer from the options in the fill)

5c. You mentioned that [Fill from Q5b] was the most recent contact you had with the police. Did this happen more than once in the last 12 months?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM B2: What was the most recent contact the respondent reported?

Reported a crime, disturbance, suspicious person, non-crime emergency to the police, or was involved in a traffic accident that was reported to the police, or sought help from the police for something not mentioned (Q3a, OR Q3b, OR Q3d, OR Q3h) Skip to Q71

Participated in block watch (Q3c) Skip to CHECK ITEM R

Stopped by the police while in a public place but not a moving vehicle (Q3e) Go to Q6

Stopped by the police while driving, or been the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by police (Q3f OR Q3g)  Skip to Q38

Arrest or other contact (Q3i OR Q3j) Skip to Q80

B. Characteristics of Street Stop

READ INTRO ONLY IF MORE THAN ONE CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q3, OR IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE SAME CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q5C.

INTRO: Please tell me ONLY about the MOST RECENT contact you had with the police.

6. Earlier you mentioned having contact with the police while in a public place but not in a vehicle. Did the police give a reason for stopping you?

1. Yes

2. No

7. Were there any other persons with you at the time of the stop?

1. Yes

2. No  Skip to Q9

8. How many other persons were with you at the time of the stop?

___________________ (1-99) number of persons

CHECK ITEM C: Did the police give a reason for stopping the vehicle? Is 1 selected in Q6?

Yes  Go to Q9

No  Skip to Q10

9. What was the reason given for this stop?

Did the police…

a. suspect you of something?

1. Yes

2. No

b. match you to the description of someone they were looking for?

1. Yes

2. No

Were the police…

c. seeking information about another person?

1. Yes

2. No

d. investigating a crime?

1. Yes

2. No

e. providing a service or assistance to you?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM D: Was the respondent alone at the time of the stop? Is 2 selected for Q7?

Yes  Skip to Q9h

No  Go to Q9f

f. Did someone you were with match the description of someone the police were looking for?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Was someone you were with suspected of something?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Was there some other reason?

1. Yes  Specify ______________________________

2. No

10. At the beginning of your most recent contact with police, was there one or more than one officer present?

1. One officer

2. More than one officer

3. Don’t know

11. Would you say the officer(s) had a legitimate reason for stopping you?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM E: Was there one officer present? Is 1 selected in Q10?

Yes  Go to Q12

No  Go to CHECK ITEM E1

CHECK ITEM E1: Was there more than one officer present? Is 2 selected in Q10?

Yes  Skip to Q14

No  Go to Q16

12. Was the police officer Hispanic or Latino?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

13. Was the race of the police officer White, Black, or some other race?

1. White

2. Black

3. Some other race

4. Don’t know

SKIP TO Q16

14. Was one or more of the police officers of Hispanic or Latino origin?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

15. Were the police officers: (Read answer categories 1-7)

1. All White?

2. All Black?

3. All of some other race?

4. Mostly White?

5. Mostly Black?

6. Mostly some other race?

7. Equally mixed?

8. Don’t know race of any/some

16. About what time of day did this contact occur?

During Day

1. After 6am – 12 noon

2. After 12 noon – 6pm

3. Don’t know what time of day

At night

4. After 6pm – 12 midnight

5. After 12 midnight – 6am

6. Don’t know what time of night

OR

7. Don’t know whether day or night

17. Did this traffic stop occur in the same city or town where you live?

1. Yes

2. No

18. How many minutes would you say this stop lasted?

_____________________ (1-99) number of minutes

19. Do you believe this stop was an appropriate amount of time?

1. Yes

2. No, too long

3. No, too short

4. Don’t know

C. Outcome of Street Stop

20. During this contact were you ticketed or given a warning? (FR NOTE: Work orders do NOT count as tickets or warnings.)

1. Warning  Skip to Q22

2. Ticketed  Go to Q21

3. Neither  Skip to Q23

4. Don’t know  Skip to Q23

21. What were you ticketed for?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________  Skip to Q23

22. Were you given a written warning or a verbal warning?

1. Verbal

2. Written

3. Both

4. Neither

5. Don’t know

23. Did the police give you a direct command during this contact?

1. Yes  Go to Q24

2. No  Skip to Q26

3. Don’t know/remember  Skip to Q26

24. Did you comply with the request of the police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

25. Which of these factors influenced how you responded to the request by the officer?

Was it:

a. because it was a police officer?

1. Yes

2. No

b. because the officer was respectful or considerate?

1. Yes

2. No

c. because the officer was fair?

1. Yes

2. No

d. because the officer convinced you it was the right thing to do?

1. Yes

2. No

e. because the officer was trying to help?

1. Yes

2. No

f. because the officer pushed you?

1. Yes

2. No

g. because the officer yelled at you?

1. Yes

2. No

h. because the officer handcuffed you?

1. Yes

2. No

i. because the officer threatened to use a weapon?

1. Yes

2. No

j. because the officer issued another threat?

1. Yes

2. No

k. because the officer aimed a weapon at you?

1. Yes

2. No

l. because you don’t trust the police?

1. Yes

2. No

m. because the police were hassling you?

1. Yes

2. No

n. because you were already late for something?

1. Yes

2. No

o. because the officer was not helpful?

1. Yes

2. No

p. because the officer was not respectful or considerate?

1. Yes

2. No

q. because the officer was not being fair?

1. Yes

2. No

r. because it was not the right thing to do?

1. Yes

2. No

s. because the officer was rude?

1. Yes

2. No

t. don’t know/remember why?

1. Yes

2. No

u. other reason?

1. Yes  Specify _________________________

2. No

26. Did the police do any of the following:

a. Shout at you?

1. Yes

2. No

b. Curse at you?

1. Yes

2. No

c. Threaten to arrest you?

1. Yes

2. No

d. Threaten you with [a ticket/other tickets]?

1. Yes

2. No

e. Threaten you with something else I haven’t mentioned?

1. Yes

2. No

f. Threaten to use force against you?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Actually push or grab you?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Handcuff you?

1. Yes

2. No

i. Actually kick or hit you?

1. Yes

2. No

j. Actually spray you with a chemical or pepper spray?

1. Yes

2. No

k. Actually use an electroshock weapon against you, such as a stun gun?

1. Yes

2. No

l. Actually point a gun at you?

1. Yes

2. No

m. Use any other type of force?

1. Yes  Specify ___________________________________

2. No

CHECK ITEM F: Is there at least one ‘Yes’ response in Q26?

Yes  Go to Q27

No  Skip to Q29

27. You mentioned that the police [Fill from Q26]. Do you feel that (this action was/these actions were) necessary?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

28. Do you feel any of the force used or threatened against you was excessive?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

29. At any time during this contact did you…

a. Disobey or interfere with the officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

b. Try to get away?

1. Yes

2. No

c. Push, grab, or hit the police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

d. Resist being handcuffed, arrested, or searched?

1. Yes

2. No

e. Complain to the officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

f. Argue with the police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Curse at, insult, or verbally threaten police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Physically do anything else?

1. Yes  Specify ____________________________________________

2. No

CHECK ITEM G: Was there any physical interaction between the respondent and the police that could have resulted in injuries? Any ‘Yes’ in Q26f-m OR Q27b-d,h?

Yes  Go to Q30

No  Skip to Q32

30. Were you injured as a result of this contact?

1. Yes  Go to Q31

2. No  Skip to Q32

3. Don’t know  Skip to Q32

31. Did you seek medical attention for these injuries?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

32. During this contact were you arrested?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

33. At any time during this stop, did the police officer(s):

a. Actually search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

b. ASK PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

34. Whether or not the police officer(s) asked for PERMISSION, at anytime during this stop did you GIVE the police officer(s) PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM H: Was the respondent personally searched? Q33a = ‘Yes’?

Yes  Go to Q35

No  Skip to CHECK ITEM I

Don’t know  Skip to CHECK ITEM I

35. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

36. During the search, did the police officer(s) find any illegal items, such as a weapon, drugs, or an open container of alcohol?

1. Yes

2. No Skip to CHECK ITEM I

3. Don’t know  Skip to CHECK ITEM I

CHECK ITEM I: Was the respondent arrested and personally searched? Q32 = 1 AND Q33a = 1?

Yes  Go to Q37

No  Skip to Q80

37. Earlier you said that you were arrested and searched. Did the search occur before you were arrested?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

SKIP TO Q80

D. Characteristics of Traffic Stop

READ INTRO ONLY IF MORE THAN ONE CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q3, OR IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE SAME CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q5C.

INTRO: Please tell me ONLY about the MOST RECENT contact you had with the police.

38. At the beginning of your most recent contact with the police, was there one or more than one officer present?

1. One officer  Go to Q39

2. More than one officer  Skip to Q41

3. Don’t know/remember  Skip to Q43

39. Was the police officer of Hispanic or Latino origin?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

40. Was the race of the police officer White, Black, or some other race?

1. White

2. Black

3. Some other race

4. Don’t know

SKIP TO Q43

41. Was one or more of the police officers of Hispanic or Latino origin?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

42. Were the police officers: (Read answer categories 1-7)

1. All White?

2. All Black?

3. All of some other race?

4. Mostly White?

5. Mostly Black?

6. Mostly some other race?

7. Equally mixed?

8. Don’t know race of any/some

43. About what time of day did this contact occur?

During Day

1. After 6am – 12 noon

2. After 12 noon – 6pm

3. Don’t know what time of day

At night

4. After 6pm – 12 midnight

5. After 12 midnight – 6am

6. Don’t know what time of night

OR

7. Don’t know whether day or night

CHECK ITEM J: Was the respondent the driver during a traffic stop? Q3f=1 OR Q5b=8?

Yes  Go to Q44

No  Go to Q46

44. Were there any other persons in the vehicle with you at the time of the traffic stop?

1. Yes  Go to Q45

2. No  Go to Q46

45. How many other persons were in the vehicle with you at the time of the traffic stop?

_____________________ (1-99) number of persons

46. Did this traffic stop occur in the same city or town where you live?

1. Yes

2. No

47. How many minutes would you say the traffic stop lasted?

____________________________ (1-999) number of minutes

48. Do you believe this stop was an appropriate amount of time?

1. Yes

2. No, too long

3. No, too short

4. Don’t know

E. Reasons for Traffic Stop

49. Did the police officer(s) give a reason for stopping the vehicle?

1. Yes  Go to Q50a

2. No  Skip to Q51

3. Don’t know  Skip to Q51

50a. Was the reason speeding?

1. Yes  Skip to Q51

2. No

50b. A vehicle defect?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50c. A record check (for example, a license plate, driver’s license or vehicle registration)?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50d. A roadside check for drunk drivers?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50e. A seatbelt violation?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50f. An illegal turn or lane change?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50g. A stop sign or stop light violation?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50h. Using a cell phone while driving?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50i. Was there some other reason?

1. Yes  Specify _________________________________________

2. No

51. Would you say that the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason for stopping you?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

52. During this contact were you given a ticket? Please exclude any verbal or written warnings given to you by the police.

1. Yes

2. No  Skip to Q56

3. Don’t know  Skip to Q56

CHECK ITEM K: Was the respondent the driver of the vehicle in which the police gave reason for traffic stop? Q5b=8 AND Q49=1?

Yes  Skip to Q53

No Go to CHECK ITEM K1

CHECK ITEM K1: Was the respondent the driver of a vehicle in which the police gave reason for traffic stop? Q3f=1 AND Q49=1?

Yes  Ask Q53

No  Skip to Q55

53. Earlier you said that the police stopped you for [Fill from Q5]. Was this what you were ticketed for?

1. Yes

2. No  Skip to Q55

3. Don’t know  Skip to Q55

54. Were you ticketed for anything else?

1. Yes

2. No  Skip to Q57

55. What were you ticketed for?

_______________________________________________

Skip to Q57

56. Were you given a written warning or a verbal warning?

1. Verbal

2. Written

3. Both

4. Neither

5. Don’t know

57. Did you get out of the vehicle at anytime because the police asked or told you to?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

58. Did the police do any of the following:

a. Shout at you?

1. Yes

2. No

b. Curse at you?

1. Yes

2. No

c. Threaten to arrest you?

1. Yes

2. No

d. Threaten you with [a ticket/other tickets]?

1. Yes

2. No

e. Threaten you with something else I haven’t mentioned?

1. Yes

2. No

f. Threaten to use force against you?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Actually push or grab you?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Handcuff you?

1. Yes

2. No

i. Actually kick or hit you?

1. Yes

2. No

j. Actually spray you with a chemical or pepper spray?

1. Yes

2. No

k. Actually use an electroshock weapon against you, such as a stun gun?

1. Yes

2. No

l. Actually point a gun at you?

1. Yes

2. No

m. Use any other type of force?

1. Yes  Specify ___________________________________

2. No

CHECK ITEM L: Is there at least one ‘Yes’ response in Q58?

Yes  Go to Q59

No  Skip to Q61

59. You mentioned that the police [Fill from Q26]. Do you feel any of these actions were necessary?

1. Yes

2. No

60. Do you feel any of the force used or threatened against you was excessive?

1. Yes

2. No

61. At any time during this contact did you…

a. Disobey or interfere with the officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

b. Try to get away?

1. Yes

2. No

c. Push, grab, or hit the police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

d. Resist being handcuffed, arrested, or searched?

1. Yes

2. No

e. Complain to the officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

f. Argue with the police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Curse at, insult, or verbally threaten police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Physically do anything else?

1. Yes  Specify ____________________________________________

2. No

CHECK ITEM M: Was there any physical interaction between the respondent and the police that could have resulted in injuries? Any ‘Yes’ in Q58f-m OR Q60b-d,h?

Yes  Go to Q62

No  Skip to Q64

62. Were you injured as a result of this contact?

1. Yes  Go to Q63

2. No  Skip to Q64

3. Don’t know  Skip to Q64

63. Did you seek medical attention for these injuries?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

64. During this contact were you arrested?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

65. At any time during this stop, did the police officer(s):

a. Actually conduct a vehicle search?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

b. ASK PERMISSION to conduct a vehicle search?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

c. Actually search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

d. ASK PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

66. Whether or not the police officer(s) asked for PERMISSION, at any time during this stop did you GIVE the police officer(s)…

a. PERMISSION to conduct a vehicle search?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

b. PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM N: Did the police conduct a vehicle search? Q65a = 1?

Yes  Go to Q67

No  Skip to CHECK ITEM O

Don’t know  Skip to CHECK ITEM O

67. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search the vehicle?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM O: Did the police search the respondent? Q65c = 1?

Yes  Go to Q68

No  Skip to CHECK ITEM P

Don’t know  Skip to CHECK ITEM P

68. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHCEK ITEM P: Did the police officer(s) search the vehicle or the respondent? Q65a = 1 OR Q65c =1?

Yes  Go to Q69

No  Skip to Q80

69. During the search, did the police officer(s) find any illegal items, such as a weapon, drugs, or an open container of alcohol?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM Q: Was the respondent arrested and a search of vehicle or respondent performed? Q64 = 1 AND Q65a or Q65c =1?

Yes  Go to Q70

No  Skip to Q80

70. Earlier you said that you were arrested and searched. Did the search occur before or after you were arrested?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

Skip to Q80

F. Outcome of Voluntary Contacts

READ INTRO ONLY IF MORE THAN ONE CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q3, OR IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE SAME CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q5C.

INTRO: Please tell me ONLY about the MOST RECENT contact you had with the police.

71. You mentioned contacting the police for the most recent [Fill from Q5/Q3]. Was this contact face-to-face with a police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

72. How did you contact the police?

1. Called 911 or a non-emergency number such as 311

2. Went to police station

3. Officer came to my house

4. Other  Specify _____________

5. Don’t remember

73. Were the police helpful?

1. Yes

2. No

74. Did the situation improve after you contacted the police?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

75. Would you be more likely, less likely, or just as likely to contact the police in the future for a SIMILAR problem?

1. More likely to call

2. Less likely to call

3. Just as likely to call

4. Don’t know

76. Would you be more likely, less likely, or just as likely to contact the police in the future for a DIFFERENT problem?

1. More likely to call

2. Less likely to call

3. Just as likely to call

4. Don’t know

77. About what time of day did this contact occur?

During Day

1. After 6am – 12 noon

2. After 12 noon – 6pm

3. Don’t know what time of day

At night

4. After 6pm – 12 midnight

5. After 12 midnight – 6am

6. Don’t know what time of night

OR

7. Don’t know whether day or night

78. How many minutes would you say this contact lasted?

____________________________________ (1-999) number of minutes

79. Do you believe the police spent an appropriate amount of time with you?

1. Yes

2. No, too much time

3. No, too little time

4. Don’t know

80. Looking back on this contact, do you feel the police behaved properly?

1. Yes  Skip to Q83

2. No  Go to Q81

3. Don’t know  Go to Q81

81. Did you file a complaint against the police?

1. Yes  Go to Q82

2. No  Skip to Q83

82. With whom did you file the complaint?

1. the police

2. citizen review board

3. Don’t know

83. Looking back on this contact, do you feel the police treated you respectfully?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM R: Did the respondent have more than one face-to-face contact in the last 12 months? Q4 > 1?

Yes  Go to CHECK ITEM S

No  Skip to CHECK ITEM U

CHECK ITEM S: Was the respondent the driver in a traffic stop, in the most recent contact? Q3f=1?

Yes  Skip to CHECK ITEM T

No  Go to Q84

84. During any of your EARLIER contacts with police in the last 12 months, were you the DRIVER in a TRAFFIC STOP?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM T: Was force used or threatened against the respondent in the most recent contact? Q4>1 AND at least one box marked 1 in Q26 or Q58?

Yes  Skip to CHECK ITEM U

No  Go to Q85

85. During any of your EARLIER contacts with police in the last 12 months, did the police USE or THREATEN TO USE for against you?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM U: Is this the last household member to interview?

Yes  END SUPPLEMENT

No  Interview next household member

Attachment C

Final Recommendations for the 2012 Public Police Contact Survey

A. CONTACT SCREEN QUESTIONS

INTRO: Now I would like to ask some questions about any contacts you may have had with the police. {We estimate the survey will take between 2 to 10 minutes depending on your responses.}

1. Before I get to the questions about contacts you may have had with the police, I would like to find out how often you usually drive? Do you currently drive… (Read answer categories.)

1. Everyday or almost every day?

2. A few days a week?

3. A few days a month?

4. A few times a year?

5. Never?

2. Do you know any police officers that work in your neighborhood by name or by sight?

1. Yes

2. No

3. I am going to read some questions about experiences you may have had seeking help or assistance from the police. Have you approached or sought help from the police for any of the following reasons in the last 12 months?

a. Have you reported any kind of crime, disturbance, or suspicious activity to the police?

1. Yes

2. No

b. Have you reported a non-crime emergency such as a traffic accident or medical emergency to the police?

1. Yes

2. No

c. Have you participated in block watch or other anti-crime programs WITH police?

1. Yes

2. No

d. Have you approached or sought help from the police in the last 12 months for something I haven’t mentioned?

1. Yes  Specify ______________________________

2. No

The following are questions about any time in the last 12 months when police have initiated contact with you. In the last 12 months:

e. Have you been stopped by the police while in a public place, but not a moving vehicle? This includes being in a parked vehicle?

1. Yes

2. No

f. Have you been stopped by the police while driving a motor vehicle?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Have you been the passenger in a motor vehicle that was stopped by police?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Have you been involved in a traffic accident that was reported to the police?

1. Yes

2. No

i. Have you been arrested?

1. Yes

2. No

j. Have you been stopped or approached by the police in the last 12 months for something I haven’t mentioned?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM A: Did the respondent answer ‘Yes’ to at least one item, a-j, in Q3?

1. Yes  Ask Question 4

2. No  End Interview

4. Thinking about the times you initiated contact with the police and the times they initiated contact with you, how many face-to-face contacts did you have with the police during the last 12 months? (NOTE: A face-to-face contact is defined as one that involved verbal communication or contact in which the officer turns his or her direct interaction towards you.)

______________________ (0-999) Number of contacts

CHECK ITEM B: Did the respondent report more than one type of contact with police in question 3a-j? (NOT including 3d and 3j)

1. Yes  Skip to 5b

2. No  Ask Q5a

5a. You mentioned [Fill from Q3]. Did this happen more than once in the last 12 months?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM B1:

Voluntary Contact (Q3a, OR Q3b, OR Q3d, OR Q3h) Skip to Q71

Block Watch (Q3c) Skip to CHECK ITEM R

Street Stop (Q3e) Skip to Q6

Traffic Stop (Q3f OR Q3g) Skip to Q38

Arrest or other contact (Q3i OR Q3j) Skip to Q80

5b. You just mentioned several contacts with the police: [Fill from Q3]. Which of these was the most recent?

___________________________ (answer from the options in the fill)

5c. You mentioned that [Fill from Q5b] was the most recent contact you had with the police. Did this happen more than once in the last 12 months?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM B2: What was the most recent contact the respondent reported?

Reported a crime, disturbance, suspicious person, non-crime emergency to the police, or was involved in a traffic accident that was reported to the police, or sought help from the police for something not mentioned (Q3a, OR Q3b, OR Q3d, OR Q3h) Skip to Q71

Participated in block watch (Q3c) Skip to CHECK ITEM R

Stopped by the police while in a public place but not a moving vehicle (Q3e) Go to Q6

Stopped by the police while driving, or been the passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by police (Q3f OR Q3g)  Skip to Q38

Arrest or other contact (Q3i OR Q3j) Skip to Q80

B. Characteristics of Street Stop

READ INTRO ONLY IF MORE THAN ONE CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q3, OR IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE SAME CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q5C.

INTRO: Please tell me ONLY about the MOST RECENT contact you had with the police.

6. Earlier you mentioned having contact with the police while in a public place but not in a vehicle. Did the police give a reason for stopping you?

1. Yes

2. No

7. Were there any other persons with you at the time of the stop?

1. Yes

2. No  Skip to Q9
(PROBE IF NECESSARY: Did the person(s) you were with observe your contact with the police?)

8. How many other persons were with you at the time of the stop?

___________________ (1-99) number of persons

CHECK ITEM C: Did the police give a reason for stopping the vehicle? Is 1 selected in Q6?

Yes  Go to Q9

No  Skip to Q10

9. What was the reason given for this stop?

Did the police…

a. suspect you of something?

1. Yes

2. No

b. match you to the description of someone they were looking for?

1. Yes

2. No

Were the police…

c. seeking information about another person?

1. Yes

2. No

d. investigating a crime?

1. Yes

2. No

e. providing a service or assistance to you?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM D: Was the respondent alone at the time of the stop? Is 2 selected for Q7?

Yes  Skip to Q9h

No  Go to Q9f

f. Did someone you were with match the description of someone the police were looking for?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Was someone you were with suspected of something?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Was there some other reason?

1. Yes  Specify ______________________________

2. No

10. At the beginning of your most recent contact with police, was there one or more than one officer present?

1. One officer

2. More than one officer

3. Don’t know

11. Would you say the officer(s) had a legitimate reason for stopping you?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM E: Was there one officer present? Is 1 selected in Q10?

Yes  Go to Q12

No  Go to CHECK ITEM E1

CHECK ITEM E1: Was there more than one officer present? Is 2 selected in Q10?

Yes  Skip to Q14

No  Go to Q16

12. Was the police officer Hispanic or Latino?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

13. Was the race of the police officer White, Black, or some other race?

1. White

2. Black

3. Some other race

4. Don’t know

SKIP TO Q16

14. Was one or more of the police officers of Hispanic or Latino origin?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

15. Were the police officers: (Read answer categories 1-7)

1. All White?

2. All Black?

3. All of some other race?

4. Mostly White?

5. Mostly Black?

6. Mostly some other race?

7. Equally mixed?

8. Don’t know race of any/some

16. About what time of day did this contact occur?

During Day

1. After 6am – 12 noon

2. After 12 noon – 6pm

3. Don’t know what time of day

At night

4. After 6pm – 12 midnight

5. After 12 midnight – 6am

6. Don’t know what time of night

OR

7. Don’t know whether day or night

17. Did this traffic stop occur in the same city or town where you live?

1. Yes

2. No

18. How many minutes would you say this stop lasted?

_____________________ (1-99) number of minutes

19. Do you believe this stop was an appropriate amount of time?

1. Yes

2. No, too long

3. No, too short

4. Don’t know

C. Outcome of Street Stop

20. During this contact were you ticketed or given a warning?

1. Warning  Skip to Q22

2. Ticketed  Go to Q21

3. Neither  Skip to Q23

4. Don’t know  Skip to Q23

FR instruction: Any document provided to the respondent from the police that requires the respondent to have a repair or other service to their vehicle, such as a “work order” or “order for required maintenance” should be coded as “Neither.”

21. What were you ticketed for?

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________  Skip to Q23

22. Were you given a written warning or a verbal warning?

1. Verbal

2. Written

3. Both

4. Neither

5. Don’t know

23. Did the police give you a direct command during this contact?

1. Yes  Go to Q24

2. No  Skip to Q26

3. Don’t know/remember  Skip to Q26

24. Did you comply with the request of the police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

25. Which of these factors influenced how you responded to the request by the officer?

Was it:

a. because it was a police officer?

1. Yes

2. No

b. because the officer was respectful or considerate?

1. Yes

2. No

c. because the officer was fair?

1. Yes

2. No

d. because the officer convinced you it was the right thing to do?

1. Yes

2. No

e. because the officer was trying to help?

1. Yes

2. No

f. because the officer pushed you?

1. Yes

2. No

g. because the officer yelled at you?

1. Yes

2. No

h. because the officer handcuffed you?

1. Yes

2. No

i. because the officer threatened to use a weapon?

1. Yes

2. No

j. because the officer issued another threat?

1. Yes

2. No

k. because the officer aimed a weapon at you?

1. Yes

2. No

l. because you don’t trust the police?

1. Yes

2. No

m. because the police were hassling you?

1. Yes

2. No

n. because you were already late for something?

1. Yes

2. No

o. because the officer was not helpful?

1. Yes

2. No

p. because the officer was not respectful or considerate?

1. Yes

2. No

q. because the officer was not being fair?

1. Yes

2. No

r. because it was not the right thing to do?

1. Yes

2. No

s. because the officer was rude?

1. Yes

2. No

t. don’t know/remember why?

1. Yes

2. No

u. other reason?

1. Yes  Specify _________________________

2. No

26. Did the police do any of the following:

a. Shout at you?

1. Yes

2. No

b. Curse at you?

1. Yes

2. No

c. Threaten to arrest you?

1. Yes

2. No

d. Threaten you with [a ticket/other tickets]?

1. Yes

2. No

e. Threaten to use force against you?

1. Yes

2. No

f. Actually push or grab you?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Handcuff you?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Actually kick or hit you?

1. Yes

2. No

i. Actually spray you with a chemical or pepper spray?

1. Yes

2. No

j. Actually use an electroshock weapon against you, such as a stun gun?

1. Yes

2. No

k. Actually point a gun at you?

1. Yes

2. No

l. Use any other type of force?

1. Yes  Specify ___________________________________

2. No

CHECK ITEM F: Is there at least one ‘Yes’ response in Q26?

Yes  Go to Q27

No  Skip to Q29

27. You mentioned that the police [Fill from Q26]. Do you feel that (this action was/these actions were) necessary?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

28. Do you feel any of the force used or threatened against you was excessive?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

29. At any time during this contact did you…

a. Disobey or interfere with the officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

b. Try to get away?

1. Yes

2. No

c. Push, grab, or hit the police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

d. Resist being handcuffed, arrested, or searched?

1. Yes

2. No

e. Complain to the officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

f. Argue with the police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Curse at, insult, or verbally threaten police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Physically do anything else?

1. Yes  Specify ____________________________________________

2. No

CHECK ITEM G: Was there any physical interaction between the respondent and the police that could have resulted in injuries? Any ‘Yes’ in Q26f-m OR Q27b-d,h?

Yes  Go to Q30

No  Skip to Q32

30. Were you injured as a result of this contact?

1. Yes  Go to Q31

2. No  Skip to Q32

3. Don’t know  Skip to Q32

31. Did you seek medical attention for these injuries?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

32. During this contact were you arrested?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

33. At any time during this stop, did the police officer(s):

a. Actually search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

b. ASK PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

34. Whether or not the police officer(s) asked for PERMISSION, at anytime during this stop did you GIVE the police officer(s) PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM H: Was the respondent personally searched? Q33a = ‘Yes’?

Yes  Go to Q35

No  Skip to CHECK ITEM I

Don’t know  Skip to CHECK ITEM I

35. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

36. During the search, did the police officer(s) find any illegal items, such as a weapon, drugs, or an open container of alcohol?

1. Yes

2. No Skip to CHECK ITEM I

3. Don’t know  Skip to CHECK ITEM I

CHECK ITEM I: Was the respondent arrested and personally searched? Q32 = 1 AND Q33a = 1?

Yes  Go to Q37

No  Skip to Q80

37. Earlier you said that you were arrested and searched. Did the search occur before you were arrested?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

SKIP TO Q80

D. Characteristics of Traffic Stop

READ INTRO ONLY IF MORE THAN ONE CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q3, OR IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE SAME CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q5C.

INTRO: Please tell me ONLY about the MOST RECENT contact you had with the police.

38. At the beginning of your most recent contact with the police, was there one or more than one officer present?

1. One officer  Go to Q39

2. More than one officer  Skip to Q41

3. Don’t know/remember  Skip to Q43

39. Was the police officer of Hispanic or Latino origin?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

40. Was the race of the police officer White, Black, or some other race?

1. White

2. Black

3. Some other race

4. Don’t know

SKIP TO Q43

41. Was one or more of the police officers of Hispanic or Latino origin?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

42. Were the police officers: (Read answer categories 1-7)

1. All White?

2. All Black?

3. All of some other race?

4. Mostly White?

5. Mostly Black?

6. Mostly some other race?

7. Equally mixed?

8. Don’t know race of any/some

43. About what time of day did this contact occur?

During Day

1. After 6am – 12 noon

2. After 12 noon – 6pm

3. Don’t know what time of day

At night

4. After 6pm – 12 midnight

5. After 12 midnight – 6am

6. Don’t know what time of night

OR

7. Don’t know whether day or night

CHECK ITEM J: Was the respondent the driver during a traffic stop? Q3f=1 OR Q5b=8?

Yes  Go to Q44

No  Go to Q46

44. Were there any other persons in the vehicle with you at the time of the traffic stop?

1. Yes  Go to Q45

2. No  Go to Q46

45. How many other persons were in the vehicle with you at the time of the traffic stop?

_____________________ (1-99) number of persons

46. Did this traffic stop occur in the same city or town where you live?

1. Yes

2. No

47. How many minutes would you say the traffic stop lasted?

____________________________ (1-999) number of minutes

48. Do you believe this stop was an appropriate amount of time?

1. Yes

2. No, too long

3. No, too short

4. Don’t know

E. Reasons for Traffic Stop

49. Did the police officer(s) give a reason for stopping the vehicle?

1. Yes  Go to Q50a

2. No  Skip to Q51

3. Don’t know  Skip to Q51

50a. Was the reason speeding?

1. Yes  Skip to Q51

2. No

50b. A vehicle defect?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50c. A record check (for example, a license plate, driver’s license or vehicle registration)?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50d. A roadside check for drunk drivers?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50e. A seatbelt violation?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50f. An illegal turn or lane change?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50g. A stop sign or stop light violation?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50h. Using a cell phone while driving?

1. Yes Skip to Q51

2. No

50i. Was there some other reason?

1. Yes  Specify _________________________________________

2. No

51. Would you say that the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason for stopping you?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

52. During this contact were you given a ticket? Please exclude any verbal or written warnings given to you by the police.

1. Yes

2. No  Skip to Q56

3. Don’t know  Skip to Q56

CHECK ITEM K: Was the respondent the driver of the vehicle in which the police gave reason for traffic stop? Q5b=8 AND Q49=1?

Yes  Skip to Q53

No Go to CHECK ITEM K1

CHECK ITEM K1: Was the respondent the driver of a vehicle in which the police gave reason for traffic stop? Q3f=1 AND Q49=1?

Yes  Ask Q53

No  Skip to Q55

53. Earlier you said that the police stopped you for [Fill from Q5]. Was this what you were ticketed for?

1. Yes

2. No  Skip to Q55

3. Don’t know  Skip to Q55

54. Were you ticketed for anything else?

1. Yes

2. No  Skip to Q57

55. What were you ticketed for?

_______________________________________________

Skip to Q57

56. Were you given a written warning or a verbal warning?

1. Verbal

2. Written

3. Both

4. Neither

5. Don’t know

FR instruction: Any document provided to the respondent from the police that requires the respondent to have a repair or other service to their vehicle, such as a “work order” or “order for required maintenance” should be coded as “Neither.”

57. Did you get out of the vehicle at anytime because the police asked or told you to?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

58. Did the police do any of the following:

a. Shout at you?

1. Yes

2. No

b. Curse at you?

1. Yes

2. No

c. Threaten to arrest you?

1. Yes

2. No

d. Threaten you with [a ticket/other tickets]?

1. Yes

2. No

e. Threaten to use force against you?

1. Yes

2. No

f. Actually push or grab you?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Handcuff you?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Actually kick or hit you?

1. Yes

2. No

i. Actually spray you with a chemical or pepper spray?

1. Yes

2. No

j. Actually use an electroshock weapon against you, such as a stun gun?

1. Yes

2. No

k. Actually point a gun at you?

1. Yes

2. No

l. Use any other type of force?

1. Yes  Specify ___________________________________

2. No

CHECK ITEM L: Is there at least one ‘Yes’ response in Q58?

Yes  Go to Q59

No  Skip to Q61

59. You mentioned that the police [Fill from Q26]. Do you feel any of these actions were necessary?

1. Yes

2. No

60. Do you feel any of the force used or threatened against you was excessive?

1. Yes

2. No

61. At any time during this contact did you…

a. Disobey or interfere with the officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

b. Try to get away?

1. Yes

2. No

c. Push, grab, or hit the police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

d. Resist being handcuffed, arrested, or searched?

1. Yes

2. No

e. Complain to the officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

f. Argue with the police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

g. Curse at, insult, or verbally threaten police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

h. Physically do anything else?

1. Yes  Specify ____________________________________________

2. No

CHECK ITEM M: Was there any physical interaction between the respondent and the police that could have resulted in injuries? Any ‘Yes’ in Q58f-m OR Q60b-d,h?

Yes  Go to Q62

No  Skip to Q64

62. Were you injured as a result of this contact?

1. Yes  Go to Q63

2. No  Skip to Q64

3. Don’t know  Skip to Q64

63. Did you seek medical attention for these injuries?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

64. During this contact were you arrested?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

65. At any time during this stop, did the police officer(s):

a. Actually conduct a vehicle search?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

b. ASK PERMISSION to conduct a vehicle search?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

c. Actually search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

d. ASK PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

66. Whether or not the police officer(s) asked for PERMISSION, at any time during this stop did you GIVE the police officer(s)…

a. PERMISSION to conduct a vehicle search?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

b. PERMISSION to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM N: Did the police conduct a vehicle search? Q65a = 1?

Yes  Go to Q67

No  Skip to CHECK ITEM O

Don’t know  Skip to CHECK ITEM O

67. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search the vehicle?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM O: Did the police search the respondent? Q65c = 1?

Yes  Go to Q68

No  Skip to CHECK ITEM P

Don’t know  Skip to CHECK ITEM P

68. Do you think the police officer(s) had a legitimate reason to search you, frisk you, or pat you down?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHCEK ITEM P: Did the police officer(s) search the vehicle or the respondent? Q65a = 1 OR Q65c =1?

Yes  Go to Q69

No  Skip to Q80

69. During the search, did the police officer(s) find any illegal items, such as a weapon, drugs, or an open container of alcohol?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM Q: Was the respondent arrested and a search of vehicle or respondent performed? Q64 = 1 AND Q65a or Q65c =1?

Yes  Go to Q70

No  Skip to Q80

70. Earlier you said that you were arrested and searched. Did the search occur before or after you were arrested?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

Skip to Q80

F. Outcome of Voluntary Contacts

READ INTRO ONLY IF MORE THAN ONE CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q3, OR IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE SAME CONTACT WAS REPORTED IN Q5C.

INTRO: Please tell me ONLY about the MOST RECENT contact you had with the police.

71. You mentioned contacting the police for the most recent [Fill from Q5/Q3]. Was this contact face-to-face with a police officer(s)?

1. Yes

2. No

72. How did you contact the police?

1. Called the police

2. Went to police station

3. Officer came to my house

4. Other  Specify _____________

5. Don’t remember

FR instruction: This includes calls made to 911, 311, a sheriff’s office or any other type of law enforcement.

73. Were the police helpful?

1. Yes

2. No

74. Did the situation improve after you contacted the police?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

75. Were you satisfied with the police response during your most recent contact?

1. Yes

2. No

76. Would you be more likely, less likely, or just as likely to contact the police in the future for a SIMILAR problem?

1. More likely to call

2. Less likely to call

3. Just as likely to call

4. Don’t know

77. Would you be more likely, less likely, or just as likely to contact the police in the future for a DIFFERENT problem?

1. More likely to call

2. Less likely to call

3. Just as likely to call

4. Don’t know

78. About what time of day did this contact occur?

During Day

1. After 6am – 12 noon

2. After 12 noon – 6pm

3. Don’t know what time of day

At night

4. After 6pm – 12 midnight

5. After 12 midnight – 6am

6. Don’t know what time of night

OR

7. Don’t know whether day or night

79. How many minutes would you say this contact lasted?

____________________________________ (1-999) number of minutes

80. Do you believe the police spent an appropriate amount of time with you?

1. Yes

2. No, too much time

3. No, too little time

4. Don’t know

81. Looking back on this contact, do you feel the police behaved properly?

1. Yes  Skip to Q83

2. No  Go to Q81

3. Don’t know  Go to Q81

82. Did you file a complaint against the police?

1. Yes  Go to Q82

2. No  Skip to Q83

83. With whom did you file the complaint?

1. the police

2. citizen review board

3. Don’t know

84. Looking back on this contact, do you feel the police treated you respectfully?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM R: Did the respondent have more than one face-to-face contact in the last 12 months? Q4 > 1?

Yes  Go to CHECK ITEM S

No  Skip to CHECK ITEM U

CHECK ITEM S: Was the respondent the driver in a traffic stop, in the most recent contact? Q3f=1?

Yes  Skip to CHECK ITEM T

No  Go to Q84

85. During any of your EARLIER contacts with police in the last 12 months, were you the DRIVER in a TRAFFIC STOP?

1. Yes

2. No

CHECK ITEM T: Was force used or threatened against the respondent in the most recent contact? Q4>1 AND at least one box marked 1 in Q26 or Q58?

Yes  Skip to CHECK ITEM U

No  Go to Q85

86. During any of your EARLIER contacts with police in the last 12 months, did the police USE or THREATEN TO USE for against you?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Don’t know

CHECK ITEM U: Is this the last household member to interview?

Yes  END SUPPLEMENT

No  Interview next household member

1 Attachment C contains all changes that resulted from testing. The sponsor wishes to change the questions that elicit information about the race of the police officers. Those changes are not included in Attachment C.

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