Hanover Police Department Receives Results of Uniform Citation Analysis 2/29/24

The Hanover Police Department is in receipt of and has reviewed the Uniform Citation Analysis study conducted by Salem State and Worcester State University. We understand and appreciate the value of this research as it pertains to motor vehicle stops in our community, particularly as it relates to the fair treatment of all people who travel through Hanover. I am fully committed to promoting fair and impartial policing in Hanover through policies, culture, and education.

We also appreciate the discussion points contained in the study, in which researchers point out the strengths of the study, as well as the variety of limitations and challenges encountered during the analysis of acquired data. One glaring aspect I have noted upon review is that 23.2% of Hanover Police Department's citation data was not analyzed due to data being labeled as "missing." This "missing" data correlates to 308 citations not subjected to analysis, which likely impacts the results of this study in a fundamental way, as noted by researchers in the study. We are actively working towards identifying potential contributing factors to this data being deemed unusable. In the event we identify issues related to agency data submission, we will implement proactive measures to ensure all citation data is analyzed in future research efforts.

This study provides a unique opportunity for deeper conversations regarding an important social issue, police legitimacy and transparency. As Chief of Police, I look forward to facilitating these conversations starting at the March 4, 2024, Select Board meeting. Additionally, I  will be in contact with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to further discuss the researchers' findings with the goal of engaging in positive, mutually beneficial discussions that strengthen the effectiveness of these types of studies for the future.

Chief Timothy Kane
Hanover Police Department