An analysis by two college professors has shown racial disparities in the discretionary actions of Burlington police officers conducting traffic stops.
The study done by professors at the University of Vermont and Cornell University found that black drivers made up 9.5 percent of traffic stops by Burlington police last year. Burlington's population is 4.5 percent black.
Vermont Public Radio reports that the study found that Burlington police stop, search and ticket black drivers at a higher rate than white drivers.
The data, which covers 2012 through 2015, was presented at a Burlington City Council meeting on Monday. The analysis excluded stops that weren't the officer's idea.
Police Chief Brandon del Pozo says that the patterns for the searches established probable cause.
He says he's working with officers to address the issues.
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