Roger Nevius was driving with a friend in downtown Corvallis on July 27 when he was pulled over for failing to stop behind the white line at an intersection.

Nevius received three citations from a Corvallis police officer: for not properly stopping, failing to carry proof of insurance and having an out-of-state driver's license.

During the stop, Nevius said the officer was rude to him. He felt threatened by what the officer said and how he acted. A second police officer arrived, heightening Nevius' feelings of embarrassment and intimidation.

Nevius said he didn't do anything wrong to be stopped or to merit the way he was treated.

"I was pulled over for one reason and one reason only," he said. "And that is because I am black."

Nevius contacted the Corvallis Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and was told that he should file a complaint with the police department.

A judge found Nevius guilty of not obeying a traffic control device; however, the fine was waived. The insurance citation was dismissed after Nevius showed his insurance card. Nevius was also found guilty of using an out-of-state license while residing in Oregon and must pay a $90 fine.

A police investigation determined that the incident was the result of a miscommunication between Nevius and the officer and that there wasn't enough evidence to reach a conclusion about the complaint.

"The problem with the system is that it's all internal. Police are investigating the police. It always comes out in their favor," Nevius said.

But the complaint process for the Corvallis Police Department could soon include an additional step.

Last month, the NAACP asked Mayor Helen Berg and the Corvallis City Council to create a citizen review board to hear complaints of racial profiling. Other cities, such as Portland, already use a review board to investigate complaints. Corvallis City Manager Jon Nelson will write a report for the City Council on the NAACP's request, including recommendations for next steps.

An independent review board would have no power over the police department. But it would provide a place for citizens who feel they've been discriminated against and the police to come to an understanding about what happened.

"I definitely would use it if I had the opportunity," Nevius said.

The progress of equality

Many people don't know what to do if they feel they've been discriminated against, or are afraid to take their complaints to the police. Nevius said that an independent review board would make it easier for a person to file a complaint and it could also change how police interact with people of color.

"I think it would make police more aware if someone else is watching, especially in small towns where things get pushed under the table," Nevius said.

In the last year, there has been progress to end discrimination and racial bias. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of universities to consider race in admissions procedures and rejected an attack on a Virginia law banning cross burning. And in November, a Massachusetts court ruled that a ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional.

But there's more work to be done to achieve equality and respect of diversity, said Peter Leung, president of the Corvallis NAACP.

The national organization is urging members of Congress to co-sponsor a bill that would prohibit racial profiling by police, fund officer training and hold law enforcement agencies accountable for violations of discrimination.

Here in Corvallis and Benton County, issues involving race relations and diversity in 2003 have prompted local NAACP members to take a more proactive role in shaping public policy instead of just responding to incidents.

Perception reinforced

In July, a statistical analysis of data collected by Corvallis police officers that showed a pattern of bias in stops and contacts with Hispanics and blacks was released. It reinforces what Leung said has been a long-standing perception of racial profiling.

"Some of the people in the community, especially people of color, think the police use racial profiling," Leung said. "There is a tendency of the police to cover up the situation, to explain away any perception of what's wrong or a racial problem."

Leung said he has been frustrated that no citizen complaint of racial profiling has been substantiated when police do their own investigation.

The Corvallis police and Benton County Sheriff's Office take allegations of discrimination very seriously, Leung said. But he said that the police didn't want his help when he's tried to mediate racial profiling complaints in the past.

"They do not want anyone else to interfere with their work," Leung said. "I see my role as being very limited."

Corvallis police review complaints by assigning a supervisor to conduct an internal investigation and to make an initial report. A lieutenant or captain reviews the case and sends it on to the chief for a final decision. The person who complained is notified of the outcome of the investigation in a letter. Discipline of an officer as a result of a complaint is a personnel matter, unless it results in criminal charges.

NAACP action plan

Corvallis City Councilor Tina Empol, along with other city and university officials and business leaders, has worked with the NAACP on the racial profiling issue. Empol said she was impressed with how Corvallis Police Chief Gary Boldizsar has responded to concerns about racial profiling. Boldizsar attended a NAACP forum in November.

"What blew me away was there's Gary Boldizsar, an older white male with lots of power and authority, owning the problem, talking about institutional racism, talking about what's going in nationwide, asking for input on how we can do it better … and what would you like to see," Empol recalled. "It was candid. It was open. It was a wonderful thing."

Mike Beilstein, secretary of Corvallis NAACP and a former city councilor, spoke at the last City Council meeting in favor of a citizen review board. He challenged city officials to address and resolve the problem of racial profiling.

"I'm concerned about racial bias that affects the quality of life in the city," Beilstein said, referring to the stop data that indicated police give "greater attention" to people of color in Corvallis. "Our action plan is doable. We're not asking for something extraordinary."

Top 5

Top five stories of 2003 in race relations and diversity:

• Resolution responding to USA Patriot Act — The Corvallis City Council passes a resolution in response to Congress' Patriot Act in April, affirming the civil rights and liberties of Corvallis residents. The resolution directs all requests from federal authorities, such as subpoenas, court orders and warrants to the city manager's office, and directs the Corvallis Police Department to remain vigilant in preserving the rights of residents and continuing to carry out investigations without any preferential or discriminatory treatment.

• Stop data study — The Corvallis Police Department in July releases results of a statistical analysis of data collected during traffic stops and other police contacts in 2001 and 2002 that shows officers' bias in detaining non-white people longer and performing more searches on people of color.

• City manager's e-mail — In October, Corvallis City Manager Jon Nelson responds to a letter to the editor in the newspaper alleging racial profiling by sending the letter writer's criminal history in an e-mail to the City Council. Nelson apologized and said his response was inappropriate.

• NAACP request — The Corvallis Chapter of the NAACP asks the City Council in December to establish a citizen review board to review complaints of racial profiling against the Corvallis Police Department.

• Diversity resolution — The Corvallis City Council at its final meeting of 2003 passes a resolution affirming prior council policies and laws that reflect the city's vision statement of Corvallis as a community that honors diversity and is free of prejudice, bigotry and hate.

Becky Waldrop covers public policy and education for the Gazette-Times. She can be reached at waldropb@gtconnect.com or 758-9510.