WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) -- Homicides were at the highest they've been in several years according to the latest annual crime data from Waterloo Police.
On Monday, the department released their full 2020 crime statistics report. It includes in an analysis on use of force, administrative complaints, accidents responded to, traffic stops, pursuits, and more in what was a difficult year for all.
"It was a call for change, a demand for conceptual and innovative thought, and planning that was inclusive and transparent," Waterloo Police Joel Fitzgerald wrote at the start of the report.
You can view the full report here.
WaterlooCrimeStatsThe report delves into data on racial profiling, breaks down all the data by different demographics, and explains the department's current and continued efforts in racial equity training.
"This report represents advancement towards the overall goal of providing data that demonstrates our dedication to professional standards and accountability; reinforces our commitment to training and higher professional standards; and provides crime stats in the most challenging year in recent history, that reflect a safer Waterloo," Fitzgerald said in his statement.
Homicides were 5 higher than in 2019 with 7 total last year, but only 1 more than what the city saw in 2018. Crime fell about 8% overall but serious, violent crime did rise.
Rape and aggravated assault both rose from 2019. Weapon violations were nearly the same as the year before while thefts fluctuated depending on the type of theft and location. Burglary hit a low, though, with 511 reported.
Lesser crimes like shoplifting or forgery were lower as were drug violations contrary to national trends.
Following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, racial bias and profiling took center stage when it came to discussing police reform.
Fitzgerald wrote, "detaining an individual and/or to conduct an inquiry into that person’s activities simply because of that individual’s race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender is also racial profiling, and undermines a person’s constitutional rights."
The racial profiling data looks at everything from use of force to traffic stops. There were 7,849 total stops. There were 4,435 stops for white people and 2,871 for Black people.
By our own math, Black people were twice as likely to be searched as their white counterparts. When looking at the total traffic stops among Black people 7% resulted in a search while 3% of the total stops for white people were searches.
Citations accounted for 20% of the stops among whites while for Black people citations resulted in 14% of the stops. Arrests for traffic stops were equal at approximately 6% each.
"An inappropriate application of force puts this Department in a position of
Waterloo Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald
civil liability, creates distrust with those we serve, and exposes the officer to disciplinary action, civil, and criminal
liability."
According to the report, use of force incidents went up 59% in 2020 for a total of 181 incidents. The majority of those were physical. An officer displayed a firearm in 75 incidents.
The report does not break down the incidents by date, but Fitzgerald did revise the department's Use of Force policy last June.
There were 5 complaints against an officer for a use of force. None of those were listed as a complaint that was sustained, however, 2 complaints are still pending. It's not clear what kind of complaints those are.
Overall, complaints against police nearly doubled in 2020, but, again, it's not clear when the complaints occurred within the context of last year. Only 9 complaints resulted in discipline against an officer with the worst case involving a suspension.
KWWL expects to speak with Chief Fitzgerald in the coming days to add further context to the report.
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