Nebraska attorney general Jon Bruning doesn't know why Indian motorists are stopped and arrested at higher rates than non-Indians but he is pretty sure racism isn't involved.

State reports show that Indians were 10 percent of arrests after traffic stops. That was more than twice the statewide average of 4.5 percent.

“Is it the police who are stopping more Native Americans, or is it the Native Americans who are giving the police more reasons to stop them? I don’t know the answer to that," Bruning told The Chadron Record.

Bruning said the Nebraska State Patrol is mostly free of racism except for one officer who joined an organization with ties to the Klu Klux Klan. Bruning is trying to fire the officer.

Get the Story:
Bruning doubtful of racial bias in area legal system (The Chadron Record 7/24)

State Reports:
Traffic Stops in Nebraska : A report to the Legislature on Data Submitted by Law Enforcement

Related Stories:
Nebraska Natives more likely to be arrested after stops (4/15)
Native drivers in Nebraska stopped more often (4/3)
Indian drivers in Neb. more likely to be searched (04/02)
Neb. report focuses on disparities in justice (02/03)