Diversity and Policing (a Topic in Police Psychology)

The term diversity, as used in this course, is defined broadly to include not only race and ethnicity, but also religion, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, and other characteristics. The purpose of diversity training in the work place is to raise awareness of such differences and to help people become "culturally sensitive" and "culturally competent." What this means is that they are able to communicate and interact appropriately with diverse populations. The importance of understanding minority cultures—cultures represented by the wide variety of characteristics noted above—is underscored by anti-discrimination laws as well as laws related to the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).

Police professionals are particularly challenged within the communities and departments in which they work because of the diversity of the populations they interact with and serve. As a result, police professionals are provided with diversity training and EEO training to assist them in addressing these challenges. As police recruits, they are taught about cultural diversity through classes in the police academy, and police administration may bring in consultants to provide additional training classes. At times, police personnel are specifically trained to provide diversity programs as well. Police professionals are encouraged to be open and honest when being trained to work effectively with diverse populations. They also must be open to accepting feedback about their own diversity issues as well as the need to learn about law enforcement culture. There is a significant commitment that must be made to ensure this type of training exists, and top officials within the organization must support it.

Review the article, "The Relationship Between Multicultural Training for Police and Effective Law Enforcement." Think about the impact that forensic psychology professionals have on police professionals through the diversity training they provide.

Review the article, "Making Good Cops in the Twenty-First Century: Emerging Issues for the Effective Recruitment, Selection, and Training of Police in the United States and Abroad." Consider the types of diversity training that a forensic psychology professional could provide to administrative police professionals and the impact that training could have on policing.
Review the document, "Facts About the Americans With Disabilities Act," and consider the impact of forensic psychology professionals' provision of diversity training to police professionals.
Review the remaining Learning Resources from this week, focusing on the impact of diversity training by forensic psychology professionals to administrative police professionals. Think about the difference this training can make and consider its value.
Think about the diversity training provided by forensic psychology professionals. Consider the difference it makes to administrative police professionals and to the police department as a whole.

Think about the impact that forensic psychology professionals could have on the communication effectiveness of police professionals when interacting with diverse populations.

Evaluate the impact of diversity training by forensic psychology professionals—specifically, respond to the difference it can make and evaluate its value.
Analyze how the provision of diversity training impacts the police department as a whole. Be specific and provide examples.