Attorney General Schneiderman Probes NYPD Stop-And-Frisk Program

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is reviewing the controversial practice of unjustified NYPD stop-and-frisks. Keeping to his 2010 campaign promise, Schneiderman is currently deciding whether his office should issue a formal report on the practice.

According to the NY Daily News, a working group inside Schneiderman's office is analyzing stop-and-frisk data. The data analysis will focus on the racial breakdown of those subjected to searches, which will help to determine whether further analysis is necessary.

In 2011, the NYPD program revealed a a record high of 684,330 stops and had led many to criticize police of racial bias, according to the Wall Street Journal. The numbers show a 14 percent increase since 2010. 92 percent of those stopped were males, and 87 percent of those stopped were either black or Hispanic.

There have been several lawsuits aimed at the practice of stop-and-frisk. However, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly have maintained that the practice reduces crime across the city. If Schneiderman decides to challenge the program, he will have to face both Bloomberg and Kelly in a political battle.

Earlier this year, City Councilman Jumaane Williams launched a legislative effort to reduce the number of NYPD stop-and-frisks. One of his proposed measures required police officers to hand out business cards after an interrogation.

The following breakdown of stop-and-frisks was provided by the New York City Liberties Union:

In 2011: 685,724 people stopped by the NYPD*

53% (350,743 people) were black

34% (223,740 people) were Latino

9% (61,805 people) were white

88% (605,328 people) were not arrested or given a summons

819 guns recovered

In 2003: 160,851 people stopped by the NYPD

54% (77,704 people) were black

31% (44,581 people) were Latino

12% (17,623 people) were white

87% (140,442 people) were not arrested or given a summons

*RECORD HIGH