Multicultural Law Enforcement – Examining Diversity of Law Enforcement as a Remedy for Problems of Diverse Society

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

Use of excessive force by police officers and increasing tension between minority communities and predominantly-Caucasian law enforcement pushed many scholars, policy makers, and community activists to call for increased diversity in law enforcement agencies. The majority of those interested in the topic of multicultural law enforcement focused on the challenge of recruiting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. Multiple studies found positive correlation between unrepresentative law enforcement agencies and police brutality. Scholars and practitioners seem to agree that in order to decrease use of excessive force, diminish interracial discrimination, and overall improve police-community relationship law enforcement agencies should reasonably reflect the racial, ethnic, and cultural makeup of the community they serve. However, does police diversification actually reduce the use of excessive force and discrimination? And if not, what does?
Drawing on agency records retrieved from randomly selected police departments in Pennsylvania this research led to interesting findings exposing true value law enforcement diversification.

Authors

• Julianna Zimmerman, Alvernia University

• Raymond Miller, Alvernia University

• Malgorzata Zuber, Alvernia University

• Rosemary McFee, Alvernia University

• Barry Harvey, Alvernia University