Wyoming ranks fourth nationally in law enforcement referrals, according to a study by the Center for Public Integrity,
The studies were conducted by polling 2011 through 2012 Department of Education data. According to the study approximately 12 out of every 1000 students were referred to the police. A referral means that the school either called an officer, or an officer was present and took charge of the data.
While Wyoming is not the worst ranked state, an overwhelming majority of the students referred were black. 32.8 percent of students referred were black, compared to just 17.4 percent Hispanic and 10.7 percent white.
In other states as well, the overwhelming majority of referrals were also black students, but according Wyoming’s population demographics, black students are significantly more likely to be referred to the police.
Blacks make up only 1.09 percent of Wyoming’s student population, while whites make up 80 percent of the population. This coupled with the demographic breakdown per 1000 students means that black students have an approximately 30 percent chance of getting referred to the police, while white students have a 0.1 percent chance, meaning ultimately that black students in the state are 300 times more likely to be referred to the police.
According to a Time magazine article addressing the same study, the proclivity towards referring students to the police could be creating career inmates before they reach the age of majority.
The Branding Iron was unable to get comment from either the police department or the school district.
