Racial Bias Audit of the Charleston, South Carolina, Police Department

Authors: Denise Rodriguez, Keri Richardson, Zoë Thorkildsen, Rodney Monroe, Harold Medlock, Stephen Rickman

Many of the findings and recommendations noted in this report are not unique to the CPD and include challenges that many police agencies across the country address. Policing has reached a pivotal point, and the role of the community in ensuring public safety is becoming more apparent and vital. CPD has made significant progress over the last several years; its continued investment in recruitment, training, and technology are just a few examples. However, CPD still needs to address a number of areas to ensure greater accountability and further improve its relationship with the community. Racial disparity in traffic stops, poor data-collection practices, lack of clarity in policies on use of force and professional standards, gaps in efforts to engage various segments of the community substantively, and lack of accountability mechanisms are a few examples of the findings and recommendations noted in this report. The audit team is reassured both by CPD’s commitment to change and willingness to address these findings and implement the recommendations, and by the community’s support of the CPD. Although CPD has begun addressing a number of these findings and recommendations, continued effort and engagement with both officers and the community will be critical to ensuring the successful implementation and sustainability of these improvements.