Multicultural issues in law enforcement are growing. When interacting with individuals from other cultures, it’s crucial to be aware of the cultural differences that exist. Be sure to consider multicultural issues when developing your police department’s strategic plan. Being able to anticipate and recognize different behaviors, beliefs, and more will help you to avoid potentially volatile situations. It can also help you to build trust with your community members who are from different backgrounds than yours. In order to better serve your multicultural community, it’s important to take the time to learn about these issues first-hand through specific training and access to resources that will help you understand your community better. Be sure to budget for training if multicultural issues are important to your police department and community. Use this guide as a starting point in your journey toward becoming more culturally aware in law enforcement!
Defining cultural awareness
Cultural awareness means accepting and acknowledging that different races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, ages and classes exist. Cultural awareness is not about allowing others to control you; rather it’s about respecting their differences and working together to create a safe environment for everyone.
Multicultural issues in your state
Just as there are people of different races, languages, religions and cultural backgrounds living within a state or country, there are also law enforcement officers who represent those demographics. For example, some states have more African-American officers than others. Others may have larger Asian or Latino communities. There’s no right or wrong here—but there are some nuances that you should know about before joining a police force (or at least be aware of if you’re moving to a new area).
Dealing with different cultures
The most important first step is to recognize that there are differences, and to be open to them. The next step is to spend time learning about each other’s cultures. Pay attention when your colleagues share their culture with you—be a part of their celebrations and holidays. If you see issues or concerns, investigate and address them promptly. Don’t say things like That’s just how they do things around here—ask why and listen carefully.
It’s no longer just racial or ethnic differences that police departments need to be sensitive to. It’s also sexual orientation and identity that are becoming familiar topics for many police departments. With the current world conflict, many areas are likely to see influxes of refugees from either Afghanistan or Ukraine. Police department strategic plans should consider their response to refugees, if for no other reason that to be prepared.
English Fluency and Law Enforcement
We are a multicultural nation and it is important that people understand and respect other cultures. There are language barriers, cultural barriers, and even emotional barriers that may arise when working with law enforcement. One officer sharing his experiences of not understanding Hispanic culture can save you a lot of time, money, and heartache! The Department of Justice estimates there are over 30 million people who speak limited English in the United States. Consider language training or smart phone apps to facilitate translation situations in the field.
Final thoughts
Your views on diversity are shaped by your experience and worldview. For example, if you grew up in an area that’s more diverse than where you currently live, it will be hard for you to understand why some people aren’t accepting of differences. Conversely, homogenous areas may be challenged by growing multicultural issues. Regardless of your beliefs about culture and prejudice, it’s important for law enforcement agencies to strive for a high level of cultural awareness to better serve their communities. A well defined strategic plan that covers multicultural issues should at least be considered by most police departments.
