Date of Award

5-7-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Criminology and Criminal Justice

First Advisor

Dr. Justin Nix

Abstract

Traffic enforcement represents the most frequent form of police-initiated contact and serves as a convergence point where discretion and legal authority are enacted. Despite its prominence, little research examines how specialized traffic enforcement units themselves shape enforcement patterns. These units, typically staffed by officers with focused training and mandates, may influence stop frequency and outcomes differently than typical patrol officers. This study analyzes a unique case in which a traffic unit in a mid-sized Midwestern police department was effectively disbanded in the early 2020’s. Three intervention points were identified; a de facto (2021), de jure (2022), and later reported intervention (2023). With publicly available traffic stop data spanning multiple years before and after the dissolution, I use interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) to assess changes in stop volume by driver race and enforcement outcome. Results indicate that weekly traffic stops were already significantly declining prior to the unit’s dissolution. The first two candidate intervention points show no consistent or statistically meaningful level shifts, reflecting only modest adjustments to the existing downward trajectory. In contrast, a later period is marked by a clear and statistically robust upward level shift, with substantial increases in total stops, warning stops, and non-warning stops across White, Black, and Hispanic drivers. Overall, the findings suggest that organizational restructuring can meaningfully shape traffic enforcement outcomes, but effects may emerge gradually and unevenly over time.

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