Strategy #16
Demographics
Law enforcement is more effective when its members
are representative of the community it serves.
Background
Public opinion and policy prescribe that government institutions, including law enforcement agencies, be inclusive and reasonably representative of the communities they serve. Agencies are more effective when members understand and are able to respond to the ethnic and cultural diversities of their communities.
Actions
- Focus recruiting efforts toward candidates who will make the agency representative of the community.
- Inform the community of these efforts.
- Maintain a current and projected demographic picture of the community.
Benefits
- Simplified caseload because of fewer collateral issues stemming from cultural and ethnic misunderstandings.
- Enhanced credibility within the community.
- Improved community relations.
- Fewer resources used for responding to citizens’ complaints.
- Increased potential for partnering in the community.
Other considerations
- Possible discrimination complaints.
- Public suspicions over the use of demographic information.
- Possible political repercussions for the governing body.
- Possibly increased recruiting costs.