Policing A Diverse Society

Policing a Diverse Society (Second Edition) is a practical guide covering the major issues in policing diversity. This edition has been completely revised to incorporate developments such as the July 7th Report and the Jean Charles de-Menezes investigation, with a new chapter on the six diversity strands that are the focus of police training.

"Policing in a Diverse Society provides an in-depth look at historical events that have shaped the thinking of both minority groups and law enforcement officers. Many stereotypes and myths have evolved as a result of lack of understanding, and this book utilizes a historical perspective as a means of closing the gap between the law enforcement officers and the communities they serve and protect. The text offers the reader an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the "rift" that may exist between law enforcement and citizens. This discussion impresses upon the reader the need for officers in training to arm themselves with more than guns and a badge; knowledge about issues relating to diversity is necessary in order for officers to perform their duties effectively and efficiently in America's diverse population. This book is useful not only for criminal justice students, but law enforcement organizations' basic law enforcement training sessions as well. In an effort to achieve the main objective of helping the reader understand and build a better relationship between officers and citizens, the historical perspective of each population segment discussed is included. This second edition includes "first hand" knowledge from officers who are currently employed in law enforcement. They share their knowledge in order to stimulate and motivate thinking that can assist with building trust between officers, individuals, and the community. These officers describe "real life" experiences that they are confronted with daily as they struggle to not only protect and serve but to also build trust. This edition also utilizes current events and situations to formulate progressive thinking on twenty-first century issues such as immigration and the use of deadly force. The overall aim is to provide information that will encourage dialogue and positive actions"--

From the mid-1990s onwards, Ireland experienced unprecedented growth levels in immigration from around the world, prompted by the country’s changing economic fortunes. In turn, the people of a very small and conservative country saw the rapid development of diverse minorities in their midst, especially in the capital, Dublin. From a sociological point of view, such communities posed challenges for the national police force, An Garda Síochána. As part of a strategy to engage with rapidly changing demographics, An Garda Síochána launched the Garda Racial and Intercultural Office (GRIO). In 2001, the author of this book was invited to establish a framework, and practical measures to negotiate the non-discriminatory policing of Ireland’s changing society. The author proposed the appointment of Garda Ethnic Liaison Officers (ELOs) to liaise and reassure members of these new minorities, while developing the officers’ own deeper understanding of difference and vulnerability. These appointed ELOs were trained in cultural awareness and difference by the author, in conjunction with minority representatives, which in turn, influenced their thinking in the delivery of a non-discriminatory front-line police service. The role of the ELO makes the Irish police authorities one of the first in the world with specialist officers dedicated to building relations with minorities. This book has many lessons to offer sociologists, academics, criminologists, lawyers, social policymakers and police institutions dealing with the plight of refugees, asylum seekers, economic migrants and marginalised people the world over.

Multiple perspectives of the role of police -- A historical analysis of municipal policing in the United States -- Underpolicing -- Overpolicing -- Police-community relations programs -- From slavery to Jim Crow -- Agitation vs. accommodation -- Modern urban rebellions -- Rebellion in Los Angeles, 1992 -- Native American police officers -- African American police officers -- Women police officers -- Gay and lesbian police officers -- Police and society.

In this case study of police racism and police reform in Australia, the author provides a critical assessment of police initiative in response to the problem of police/minorities relations.

For courses in Multicultural Law Enforcement and Special Topics in Policing. From a diverse team of writers whose expertise spans law enforcement and cross-cultural relations, comes a text with comprehensive coverage of sensitive topics and issues related to diversity and multiculturalism facing police in the 21st century. It contains insightful as well as practical information and guidelines on how law enforcement professionals can work effectively with diverse cultural groups, both inside their organizations as well as in the community.

Social, political, and economic relationships played key roles in the historical development of the police. The authors present policing strategies from the vantage points of marginalized communities and emphasize the intersection of attitudes about class, race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation with policies. Police practices cannot be class neutral in a class society, nor can they be race neutral or gender neutral in a racist, sexist, and heterosexist society. The key to understanding the relationship between the police and society is to think critically about the role of power and interests. The second edition includes a new chapter in the section on the police and rebellion covering recent events. There is also a new chapter on Latino/a police officers and an expanded chapter on LGBTQ police officers. Without meaningful social change toward greater justice, police reforms such as community policing and training in cultural diversity will fall short of creating an institution characterized by fairness and equality for all members of society. A clear view of history is essential for understanding the challenges a more diverse police force faces in today’s multicultural environment.

Politicians, citizens, and police agencies have long embraced community policing, hoping to reduce crime and disorder by strengthening the ties between urban residents and the officers entrusted with their protection. That strategy seems to make sense, but in Citizens, Cops, and Power, Steve Herbert reveals the reasons why it rarely, if ever, works. Drawing on data he collected in diverse Seattle neighborhoods from interviews with residents, observation of police officers, and attendance at community-police meetings, Herbert identifies the many obstacles that make effective collaboration between city dwellers and the police so unlikely to succeed. At the same time, he shows that residents’ pragmatic ideas about the role of community differ dramatically from those held by social theorists. Surprising and provocative, Citizens, Cops, and Power provides a critical perspective not only on the future of community policing, but on the nature of state-society relations as well.