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Clute police present annual racial profiling report; traffic stops increased from prior year
Summary
Police Chief James presented the department’s required annual racial-profiling report, noting an increase in total traffic stops and continued outside-data review; chief highlighted steps on DWI enforcement and drug recognition training.
Police Chief James presented Clute’s annual racial-profiling report required under state law and said the department continues to use an outside analyst to review and validate traffic-stop data.
Chief James reported that total traffic stops for the period covered in the report were higher than the prior year, and he highlighted the department’s focus on removing impaired drivers. “For 2024, Clute had a 62 DWI ... When you looked at the adjoining cities, the closest to us was 72,” Chief James said, noting that officers have been proactive about DWI enforcement and that the department sent two officers to Drug Recognition Expert school to help identify impairment from substances other than alcohol.
Chief James credited recent council actions on equipment and pay changes with helping the police department recruit and retain officers. “In March, we will hit a year without losing an officer,” he said, adding that Clute has recently hired officers from surrounding cities and that morale "is probably the best place we’ve been since I’ve been here.”
A council member asked whether the data raised any compliance concerns; Chief James replied that the external reviewer (identified in the report) conducts quarterly audits and would notify the council if there were concerns. He also said the outside reviewer had not identified compliance problems in the materials presented.
No formal council action was taken on the presentation. The report was discussed during the business items portion of the meeting and followed by council questions and brief comments of appreciation to the department.
