In This Section 
The Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) of 2015 requires all California law enforcement agencies to collect specific information on certain types of police contacts (detentions, and contacts during which a person is searched). The Palo Alto Police Department’s legal obligation to collect and submit this data to the California Department of Justice began with calendar year 2022. We are committed to sharing the data with our community.
On March 28, 2023, the Department submitted our 2022 data to the California Department of Justice, and is now awaiting receipt of the processed and validated data set back from them. Once we receive the data set from the California Department of Justice (anticipated by May 1), we will post that data on this web page. Please check back later.
The Palo Alto Police Department believes in fair and impartial policing, free from discrimination or bias. We are committed to providing outstanding service while respecting the racial, cultural, and other differences of those we serve in our diverse community.
The Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) of 2015 requires all California law enforcement agencies to collect specific information on certain types of police contacts (detentions and contacts during which a person is searched).
The data is entered by our officers at the completion of their interaction with the person. The data required to be collected includes:
Once the Police Department receives the processed and validated data set back from the California Department of Justice (anticipated no later than May 1), the data will be published on this web page. The data will be available for public review in two ways:
1. The raw data will be available for download by community members.
2. The City will display an interactive RIPA data dashboard that can display the data by applying user-defined filters.
The Police Department submitted our 2022 data to the California Department of Justice on March 28, 2023, and is now awaiting receipt of the processed and validated data set back from them. Once we receive it, we will post it on this page. The Police Department anticipates the validated data set back from the California Department of Justice on or before May 1, 2023.
As a result of RIPA, law enforcement agencies now have access to more statistical information about detentions and searches than ever before. The interpretation and analysis of RIPA data, though, is complex and nuanced.
The Police Department is actively working with the City Manager’s Office to identify an independent, third-party qualified data analyst to review the Department’s 2022 RIPA data and publish a written report with their findings. City staff are hopeful that an analyst can be retained in the near future, with their written report forthcoming by the end of 2023. We will publish that report on this page.
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
General City Information
(650) 329-2100
City Service Feedback
Last updated on April 03, 2023