Bastrop Police Report No Racial Profiling Complaints in 2025

Department's annual report shows traffic stop data with no use-of-force incidents resulting in injury

Mar. 25, 2026 at 12:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to the Bastrop Police Department's annual report, officers made over 6,800 traffic stops in 2025 with no racial profiling complaints or use-of-force incidents resulting in bodily injury. The report, required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, showed the race or ethnicity was unknown in nearly all stops, and that white drivers received warnings more often than Black or Hispanic drivers.

Why it matters

The report aims to provide transparency around the Bastrop Police Department's practices and address any potential concerns about racial bias in traffic stops and enforcement. Maintaining public trust is crucial for effective community policing, especially in light of national discussions around police reform and accountability.

The details

Police Chief Vicky Steffanic presented the report to the Bastrop City Council, which showed that officers made 6,882 contacts last year. The race or ethnicity was unknown in 99.8% of the stops, with the remaining percentage attributed to officers knowing a driver had an outstanding warrant. Men were stopped nearly twice as often as women, and 66% of those stopped were not residents of the 78602 ZIP code. Officers conducted 191 searches, with 86% resulting in the discovery of contraband, mostly drug possession. The report also showed differences in how stops concluded, with white drivers receiving warnings in around 71% of stops compared to 66% for Black drivers and 59% for Hispanic drivers.

  • The Bastrop Police Department released its annual report on March 10, 2026.

The players

Vicky Steffanic

The police chief of the Bastrop Police Department who presented the annual report to the City Council.

Bastrop Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Bastrop, Texas that released the annual report on traffic stops and enforcement data.

Bastrop City Council

The governing body of the City of Bastrop, Texas that received the Bastrop Police Department's annual report.

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement

The state agency that requires the Bastrop Police Department to submit an annual report on traffic stops and enforcement data.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The race or ethnicity was not known for 99.8% of our stops. (The remaining percentage) is attributed to knowing somebody has a warrant and they'll know the race prior to the stop.”

— Vicky Steffanic, Police Chief

The takeaway

The Bastrop Police Department's annual report demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability, providing detailed data on traffic stops and enforcement without any reported incidents of racial profiling or excessive use of force. This helps build public trust in the department's practices, which is crucial for effective community policing.