Understanding Data Collection on Traffic Stops in Minnesota

In 2025, Citizens League partnered with Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation to more deeply understand what information on traffic stops is being collected by law enforcement agencies statewide. More specifically, the project examined whether agencies record data for the initial reason for a traffic stop that is not a moving violation and, if so, what data is collected and how. This information was compiled to see if there are opportunities for policy innovation that could create more efficacy, efficiency, or equitable outcomes. Broadly, how can data support good governance for public safety?

This initiative was a follow-up inquiry to a traffic stops pilot completed by Ramsey County in 2021 in partnership with Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and Justice Innovation Labs.

This research project was put together as a primarily qualitative endeavor to better understand the following questions:

• Are there requirements for data collection on traffic stops in Minnesota?- What data is collected on traffic stops in Minnesota by law enforcement officers and agencies?
• How do law enforcement officers and agencies collect and/or report data on the initial reasons for traffic stops?
• Is there need, space, opportunity, or interest in exploring policy innovations or alternatives for data collection and for traffic stops, particularly for “secondary” equipment offenses or non-moving violations? What are some of those options or opportunities?

In service of these questions, the Citizens League team reviewed literature and statute; analyzed public data and existing research; and conducted a series of conversations, meetings, and interviews with law enforcement officers and leaders, community safety professionals and practitioners, organizers, researchers, nonprofit leaders and other stakeholders representing Minnesota jurisdictions and national perspectives.

The findings in this report are intended to be supplementary to numerous other resources supporting efforts to advance public safety in Minnesota.