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Overview
In many jurisdictions, police agency personnel do not reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. Persistent differences between the demographic profile of police departments and the people over whom they exercise authority raise questions about discrimination in employment and recruiting practices. These demographic differences also have implications for the legitimacy and cultural sensitivity of the agencies when dealing with minorities or under-represented groups.
With their focus on fair employment practices, seeking information on whether a local police department is doing all it can to attract and hire a diverse force is a natural step for human rights commissions.
Increasing Diversity in Police Departments: Strategies and Tools for Human Rights Commissions and Others:
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This Executive Session paper is designed for use by human rights commissions, city officials, police chiefs and others interested in increasing the diversity among law enforcement personnel in their jurisdictions. The paper first discusses why police force diversity matters, both in diverse communities and in more homogeneous communities. It also addresses why it is important for state officials to be concerned with the diversity of municipal and county police agencies. Patterns of police force diversity are analyzed from studies in two states (Kentucky and Rhode Island). A second part of the paper provides a menu of innovative recruiting techniques used in Atlanta, New Orleans and Rhode Island.
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