THE IMPORTANCE OF RACIAL DIVERSITY

WITHIN THE POLICE FORCE

Racial diversity within the police force is not a unique issue and should be
addressed based on equality. All candidates accepted into the police
academy are given equal opportunity and this is not based on color or cultural
background. However it is still an issue that the majority of the police force in
a given city or municipality is predominantly made up of the majority ethnic
group.
The police force needs to create an inclusive, diverse and positive workforce
to reflect the communities they have within their jurisdiction. Diversity does not
necessarily equate to better performance as this aspect is dependant on each
specific individual rather than as a whole. However in todays cultural
.atmosphere the lack of minority ethnic groups in the police force has become
a hotly debated and contentious issue, the majority perceives the police force
as its rightful home and the minority wants entrance into the hallowed halls of
the police force.
The 21st century has dawned and diversity in the police force is changing to
incorporate all ethnic groups to service communities of multicultural
backgrounds however the ratio of the percentage employed does not equate
to the same percentage ratio within the community. The police department
needs transparency on employment equations and why this is not happening
is an issue that needs to be addressed at the levels of acceptance into the
police academy in order to have a greater number of the minority ethnic
groups available for incorporation into the police force upon graduation, to be
deployed into the various communities where the balance is skewed in favor
of the majority ethnic group.
The lack of diversity in the police in the United States is not a unique situation
it is an issue that is being experienced worldwide and in the interests of
transparency and equality the issue needs to be addressed sooner rather than
later. An inclusive workforce will curry favor with all members of the
communities, and also offer equal opportunities to all the diverse racial groups
within the USA. The general consensus is that racial imbalance is as a result
of a lesser ratio of applications and acceptance into the police academy
together with a distinct sense of racism. This situation would not require
immense sacrifices to balance the levels of racial diversity within the police
force if implemented at grassroots level.
Over the last 150 years there has been tension between minority and majority
racial groups within the USA and this problem could be positively addressed
by instituting a policy of equality and diversity in the ranks of the police force.
Racial diversity in the police force will also instill a culture of understanding
and sensitivity in the communities where a higher percentage of the minority
group reside which in turn will create a positive attitude amongst school
leavers in considering applying to the police academy as a career choice..