A special investigation by Lee Enterprises showed that of 105 agencies serving communities identified as diverse, 76 underrepresented the percentages of people of color by 10 points or more.
Nearly three-quarters of more than 100 law enforcement agencies across much of the U.S. don't reflect the racial makeup of their communities, data supplied by the departments to Lee Enterprises shows.
People are also reading… Diversity underrepresentation in policing Data gathered from October 2022 to May 2023 from nearly 120 law enforcement agencies in 14 states shows frequent disparity in the racial and ethnic makeup of the agencies compared to the communities they are hired to protect and serve.
Why police diversity mattersExperts within and outside law enforcement say the continued representation gap — the subject of discussions that go back decades — underscores existential questions about how police “protect and serve” people of color. “The more diverse we are as it relates to race and ethnicity, the more diverse we are also in life experiences, which helps agencies to better inform policies, also better inform their training, and better inform their support systems as well,” said Darryl McSwain, chief of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police force and a 2021 finalist for the post of top cop in Lincoln, Nebraska. “So I think that's why it's so crucial that we continue to diversify.
Lee also received demographic data from 105 agencies serving diverse areas based on 2020 U.S Census data, which Lee also used to draw comparisons with their respective police-force demographics: As a group, the 119 agencies — police departments, sheriff’s offices and state police — that supplied diversity data appear to skew whiter than local law enforcement across the U.S. overall. This is based on part- and full-time personnel numbers provided by the 119 agencies compared with the latest law enforcement demographics for full-time personnel collected by the Department of Justice in 2020.
“I certainly do acknowledge the gap,” Rhoads, who is part of the department's leadership team, said. “It's certainly not representative of the community, but we want to get it there. But it's just something that we've always struggled with.” Departments are increasing their use of technology and social media and beginning to recruit more broadly to boost ranks, Brantner Smith said, but “whether we're talking post-George Floyd or we're talking in general, not everyone is attracted to this profession.”
“If we want to have a relationship with our community, and we want our community to be a part of this ecosystem of public safety, then we want our police force to be reflective of the communities that we're in,” said Regina Holloway, vice president of community impact for Axon, maker of equipment for law enforcement, notably Tasers and cameras.
High-profile deaths in 2023 fuel debate over 'biased culture'That assertion fueled major debates earlier this year in two highly publicized deaths of Black citizens following interactions with law enforcement members, most of whom were people of color. Otieno, whose family said he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, died March 6 while in custody of the Henrico County Sheriff’s Office.
Crump said Nichols’s death occurred despite recent police reform in Memphis because of “the institutionalized police culture that makes it somehow allowed that they can use this type of excessive force and brutality against people of color. And it doesn't matter if the officers are Black, Hispanic, or white. It’s part of the culture, this biased culture that said this is allowed.”
“You need the representation with high levels of professionalism,” said Simington, who was drawn to law enforcement by family members who served. When asked about the roles of officers of color in the deaths of Otieno and Nichols, Simington said, “It does reflect horrible on the badge. It tarnishes everything we stand for, right? It's supposed to be a noble occupation. So the nobility comes from our capability and our mindset on how to treat people [in a way that’s] fair and appropriate.
The Greensboro Police Department in North Carolina, which is nearly 70 percent white in a community that is less than 40 percent white, had 121 “biased-based policing” allegations, including bias other than race, between 2017 and 2022. It also had 14 allegations of excessive force during that same period. Allegations are not always sustained by the department once investigated.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
105 'Family Feud' Questions And Answers'Are you ready to play the Feud?'
Read more »
Star Wars Is Honoring George Lucas - By Moving On From George LucasMost Star Wars stories attempt to respect George Lucas' vision, but now the franchise is honoring its maker differently - by moving on.
Read more »
Cash App founder Bob Lee murder suspect pleads not guiltySAN FRANCISCO — The suspect in the murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee pleaded not guilty in a San Francisco court on Thursday.
Read more »
Rep. George Santos Disappears Mysterious Campaign TreasurerNo one was able to verify Andrew Olson even existed. He’s not on the congressman’s newest filing.
Read more »
George Santos becomes treasurer of his own campaign following indictmentThe embattled congressman pleaded not guilty to federal charges on May 10, hours after a 13-count indictment was unsealed against him.
Read more »