Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Law Enforcement: A Concerned Profession
Following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the federal level, some law enforcement experts say those initiatives still have a place in police departments — and are wary of the impact the president’s messaging could have on recruitment.
The Importance of Diversity in Law Enforcement
Such efforts — which are meant to address historic racial and gender discrimination — have resulted in more women and people of color in policing along with more promotion opportunities. Police department diversity has been under renewed scrutiny in the years following the death of George Floyd in 2020, with calls for departments to better reflect the communities they serve.
The Concerns of Law Enforcement Experts
"Research has shown, historically and traditionally, that when you have a law enforcement entity that represents the community that it serves, not only as it relates to race but also ethnicity but also gender, that they are more effective because they’re more credible in the community," said Alex del Carmen, a criminologist at Tarleton State University.
The Impact of Trump’s Executive Order
When Trump signed the executive order, he called the initiatives "illegal and immoral discrimination." He said the programs impacted "virtually all aspects" of the federal government, from airline safety to the military. However, del Carmen said there are concerns from chiefs of police and police executives over the implications those standards will have on local law enforcement.
The Challenges of Recruitment
Law enforcement agencies were already experiencing a shortage of people interested in the profession due to the pay, the long hours, the stress, and its reputation of being among the professions with the highest rate of suicides, divorces, and alcoholism, del Carmen said. "Here comes COVID, the death of George Floyd, and various other national and international things that affected, negatively, the perception of law enforcement that even augmented the lack of availability of personnel to be able to engage in an effective recruitment effort," he said.
The Importance of Representation in Law Enforcement
Effective recruitment is more than just filling roles in a department — it’s important because law enforcement agencies are not always representative of the communities they serve in terms of gender, race, and ethnicity, Del Carmen said. However, that representation is vital to public safety, said Jeff Glover, president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.
The Future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Law Enforcement
With a federal rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Glover said departments could potentially fall back to a standard applicant script and not be intentional on hiring different backgrounds. Cutting off diversity efforts and being unintentional in hiring processes would only harm law enforcement’s image, he added.
Conclusion
The debate surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion in law enforcement is complex and multifaceted. While some argue that these initiatives are necessary to address historic discrimination, others claim that they are unnecessary or even counterproductive. Ultimately, the key to success lies in finding a balance between inclusivity and effectiveness in law enforcement.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in law enforcement?
A: These initiatives aim to address historic racial and gender discrimination in policing and improve representation in law enforcement agencies.
Q: What is the impact of Trump’s executive order on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives?
A: The order rolling back these initiatives could have a negative impact on law enforcement agencies’ ability to recruit and retain diverse talent.
Q: Why is representation important in law enforcement?
A: Representation is vital to public safety, as it helps to build trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
Q: What are the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in terms of recruitment?
A: Agencies are struggling to attract and retain diverse talent due to a lack of interest in the profession, long hours, and a negative public perception of law enforcement.
