Is Cultural Diversity a Good Idea for Law Enforcement?

Many of the nation's cities are divided into radically different cultures. Every large American city has areas with dense populations of different races, cultures, and religions. To adequately and efficiently police these areas, criminal justice must not excuse behaviors because of these differences, but recognize the importance of understanding the peoples that it serves. The criminal justice system is often called upon to address issues within the greater societal debate.

Explain your views on why it is important to have a department that reflects the population at large. For example, is it desirable to staff an area heavily populated with Chinese persons with officers of Chinese heritage? Will a Caucasian section of town accept only Caucasian officers? What is the difference in economic bases of various areas of a city? Is it necessary to provide only well-educated officers to the citizens of well-educated areas? Cities are divided into radically different cultures. Every large American city has areas with dense populations of different races, cultures, and religions. To adequately and efficiently police these areas, criminal justice must not excuse behaviors because of these differences, but recognize the importance of understanding the peoples that it serves. The criminal justice system is often called upon to address issues within the greater societal debate.

Explain your views on why it is important to have a department that reflects the population at large. For example, is it desirable to staff an area heavily populated with Chinese persons with officers of Chinese heritage? Will a Caucasian section of town accept only Caucasian officers? What is the difference in economic bases of various areas of a city? Is it necessary to provide only well-educated officers to the citizens of well-educated areas?