Deck 7: Minorities in Policing

Question 1

Why are there so few minorities in policing?

Answer 1

All races and ethnic groups are represented in policing today. However, until the 1940s, there was not a single African American police officer in the Deep South. The first female police officer was not appointed until 1910. The United States has a long history of discrimination against women and minorities. The main areas of discrimination have been race/ethnic background and gender. Until the 1970s, it was presumed that women, because of their gender and typical size, were not capable of performing the same type of patrol duty as men. Men at the time were afraid that women would get beaten up and the perpetrator would take their gun. What has changed in society that now allows women and minorities to gain a better foothold in policing?

Question 2

What provisions of the U.S. legal system have enabled minorities to overcome job discrimination?

Answer 2

The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, passed in 1868, guarantees equal protection of the law to all citizens of the United States. This amendment, combined with the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, Title VII of the same law, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the
Civil Rights Act of 1991, has enabled minorities to overcome discrimination by utilizing the court system to get equal treatment.

Question 3

What strides have African Americans made in increasing the numbers of minorities in policing?

Answer 3

According to the Bureau of Justice Report in 2013, 27 percent of full-time local law enforcement officers were members of a racial or ethnic minority group, an increase from 14.6 percent in 1987. African American officers represented 12.2 percent of all law enforcement officers, which was an increase when compared with 9.3 percent in 1987.

Question 4

How are law enforcement agencies addressing the issue of family and conflicts between personal and professional demands of law enforcement?

Question 5

Historically, women and minorities have experienced discrimination by the police: as citizens and in seeking careers in law enforcement. Allowing for diversity in all areas of law enforcement is an important part of addressing this type of discrimination. The primary instrument governing equal hiring practices is the Fourteenth Amendment. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 which barred discrimination based on gender, race, color, religion, or national origin is one of the secondary instruments.
This scenario focuses on the inclusion of a diverse group of individuals on a task force.
You are a police officer for Atlanta, Georgia. In putting together a specialized task force to deal with the crime problem in Atlanta the mayor stated that individuals who meet the qualifications and are interested in applying for the task force had to receive the backing and support of all officers within their home departments to apply. From your department, there are only two candidates who both meet the qualifications and hope to be part of the task force: one is a heterosexual male and one is a homosexual male. Once they were identified, the next step for the department is to determine which one to nominate for the task force.

-Little research has examined the experiences of homosexual people in law enforcement. Which of the following does research show to be true?

A) Approximately half of the officers reported feeling socially isolated.
B) Officers "come out" regardless of the consequences.
C) Few experience homophobic comments.
D) The obstacles regarding their experiences were significantly different from those of women.

Question 6

Historically, women and minorities have experienced discrimination by the police: as citizens and in seeking careers in law enforcement. Allowing for diversity in all areas of law enforcement is an important part of addressing this type of discrimination. The primary instrument governing equal hiring practices is the Fourteenth Amendment. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 which barred discrimination based on gender, race, color, religion, or national origin is one of the secondary instruments.
This scenario focuses on the inclusion of a diverse group of individuals on a task force.
You are a police officer for Atlanta, Georgia. In putting together a specialized task force to deal with the crime problem in Atlanta the mayor stated that individuals who meet the qualifications and are interested in applying for the task force had to receive the backing and support of all officers within their home departments to apply. From your department, there are only two candidates who both meet the qualifications and hope to be part of the task force: one is a heterosexual male and one is a homosexual male. Once they were identified, the next step for the department is to determine which one to nominate for the task force.

-Which of these was the primary reason for the changes in discriminatory hiring practices within the police force?

A) the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution
B) the Civil Rights Act of 1991
C) the Civil Rights Act of 1964
D) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968

Question 7

What Would You Do?
You are an Atlanta police officer. For the last few days, officers in your department have been discussing which candidate they should support for the task force. Both candidates graduated from the tops of their academy classes; both have nearly equal years of experience on the force; and both have earned two commendations during their careers. Because of the strong similarities of the candidates, conversations have turned toward sexuality. About half of the department believes that homosexual officers have proven themselves to be as combat-ready as heterosexual officers have-both through their military service and service on America's police forces. Most of these individuals state that sexuality should not be a factor in this decision.
Alternatively, the other half of the department believes that heterosexual men are better suited to dealing with potential offenders and will have better rapport with this mostly heterosexual population. They argue that homosexual officers might be a liability to other officers in the situations the task force will face because of their cultural differences.
-Your partner asks who you will choose to support and why. What do you say?

Question 8

Members of the department continue to debate their reasons for supporting each of the candidates. Although the topics are getting more personal, the majority of officers in the department are maintaining respectful discourse. Along this line, your partner asks you to further explain the reasons behind your choice.

-How have homosexual males historically been kept off of police forces?

A) Sodomy and homosexual sex acts were criminalized.
B) The physical test was made too difficult for them.
C) They were forced to take unfair intelligence tests.
D) They have never been kept out of police agencies.

Question 9

Members of the department continue to debate their reasons for supporting each of the candidates. Although the topics are getting more personal, the majority of officers in the department are maintaining respectful discourse. Along this line, your partner asks you to further explain the reasons behind your choice.

-Which of the following barred discrimination based on gender, race, color, religion, or national origin?

A) the Civil Rights Act of 1964
B) the Civil Rights Act of 1991
C) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968
D) the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972

Question 10

What Would You Do?
You are an Atlanta police officer having a discussion with your partner, who supports the heterosexual candidate. In explaining your reasoning, you cite the Fourteenth Amendment and Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, both of which guarantee equal opportunity for all, regardless of race or gender and that you believe sexuality is covered under gender. You mention that the Civil Rights Act of 1991 allows for damages being awarded to those whose rights had been violated through discrimination. You state that there should be no de facto discrimination in this situation because the duties outlined in the job description can clearly be met by either a heterosexual or a homosexual officer.
Your partner counters with an agreement that opportunity should be guaranteed for all, and in this case, opportunity was being guaranteed to both-because of the voting procedures. Your partner also notes the importance of connecting with the population on a one-to-one basis, and that it was not discrimination to believe that heterosexuals are better in cases like this; it is only discrimination if the homosexual officer wasn't given an equal chance to apply. Additionally, you partner states that neither officer's rights were being violated through a fair vote and that the Civil Rights Act of 1991 did not apply to government agencies like the police force. After several more days of department-wide discussion, the police chief asks all personnel to cast their votes.
-Do you maintain your original position and vote for the homosexual officer, or do you cast your vote with your partner for the heterosexual officer?

Question 11

Summary A
Police departments across the country have been addressing discrimination since the 1960s and 70s when the U.S. government recognized the issues caused by a lack of minorities in the police force. Studies found that discriminatory police employment practices led to a disproportionate number of white officers. They recommended that departments intensify their focus on hiring black candidates for the police force. Changes such as these need to be made for gay, lesbian, and transsexual candidates. Your vote will help the Atlanta Police Department to move forward in promoting homosexual officers and demonstrates your commitment to including gay, lesbian, and transgender officers in police agencies across the United States. You need to remember that there may be some backlash if the homosexual officer is selected and be prepared to support the candidate chosen for the assignment.
To learn more about these commissions, why they were formed, and what they found, see "Discrimination in Policing."
Summary B
Police departments across the country have been addressing discrimination since the 1960s and 70s when the U.S. government recognized the issues caused by a lack of minorities in the police force. Studies found that discriminatory police employment practices led to a disproportionate number of white officers. They recommended that departments intensify their focus on hiring black candidates for the police force. Changes such as these need to be made for gay, lesbian, and transsexual candidates. Your vote indicates your belief that sexuality is an issue but not one that should give preference to officers who are not heterosexuals. Including gay, lesbian, and transgender officers in police agencies across the United States. is not a priority for you. You need to remember that there may be some backlash for your department if the heterosexual officer is selected and be prepared to respond to allegations of discrimination if the heterosexual officer is chosen for the assignment.
To learn more about these commissions, why they were formed, and what they found, see "Discrimination in Policing."
Members of the Atlanta department continue to debate their reasons for supporting each of the candidates. Although the topics are getting more personal, the majority of officers in the department are maintaining respectful discourse. Along this line, your partner asks you to further explain the reasons behind your choice.

-How have homosexual males historically been kept off of police forces?

A) Sodomy and homosexual sex acts were criminalized.
B) The physical test was made too difficult for them.
C) They were forced to take unfair intelligence tests.
D) They have never been kept out of police agencies.

Question 12

Summary A
Police departments across the country have been addressing discrimination since the 1960s and 70s when the U.S. government recognized the issues caused by a lack of minorities in the police force. Studies found that discriminatory police employment practices led to a disproportionate number of white officers. They recommended that departments intensify their focus on hiring black candidates for the police force. Changes such as these need to be made for gay, lesbian, and transsexual candidates. Your vote will help the Atlanta Police Department to move forward in promoting homosexual officers and demonstrates your commitment to including gay, lesbian, and transgender officers in police agencies across the United States. You need to remember that there may be some backlash if the homosexual officer is selected and be prepared to support the candidate chosen for the assignment.
To learn more about these commissions, why they were formed, and what they found, see "Discrimination in Policing."
Summary B
Police departments across the country have been addressing discrimination since the 1960s and 70s when the U.S. government recognized the issues caused by a lack of minorities in the police force. Studies found that discriminatory police employment practices led to a disproportionate number of white officers. They recommended that departments intensify their focus on hiring black candidates for the police force. Changes such as these need to be made for gay, lesbian, and transsexual candidates. Your vote indicates your belief that sexuality is an issue but not one that should give preference to officers who are not heterosexuals. Including gay, lesbian, and transgender officers in police agencies across the United States. is not a priority for you. You need to remember that there may be some backlash for your department if the heterosexual officer is selected and be prepared to respond to allegations of discrimination if the heterosexual officer is chosen for the assignment.
To learn more about these commissions, why they were formed, and what they found, see "Discrimination in Policing."
Members of the Atlanta department continue to debate their reasons for supporting each of the candidates. Although the topics are getting more personal, the majority of officers in the department are maintaining respectful discourse. Along this line, your partner asks you to further explain the reasons behind your choice.

-Which of the following barred discrimination based on gender, race, color, religion, or national origin?

A) the Civil Rights Act of 1964
B) the Civil Rights Act of 1991
C) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968
D) the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972

Question 13

What Would You Do?
You are an Atlanta police officer having a discussion with your partner, who supports the homosexual candidate. In explaining his reasoning, he cites the Fourteenth Amendment and Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, both of which guarantee equal opportunity for all, regardless of race or gender and that he believes sexuality is covered under gender. He mentions that the Civil Rights Act of 1991 allows for damages being awarded to those whose rights had been violated through discrimination. He states that there should be no de facto discrimination in this situation because the duties outlined in the job description can clearly be met by either a heterosexual or homosexual officer.
You counter with an agreement that opportunity should be guaranteed for all, and in this case, opportunity was being guaranteed to both-because of the voting procedures. You also note the importance of connecting with the population on a one-to-one basis, and that it was not discrimination to believe that heterosexual officers are better in cases like this; it is only discrimination if the homosexual officer wasn't given an equal chance to apply. Additionally, you state that neither officer's rights were being violated through a fair vote and that the Civil Rights Act of 1991 did not apply to government agencies like the police force. After several more days of department-wide discussion, the police chief asks all personnel to cast their votes.
-Do you maintain your original position and vote for the heterosexual officer, or do you cast your vote with your partner for the homosexual officer?

Question 14

Which term means the unequal treatment of persons based on personal characteristics such as race, religion, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation?

A) bigotry
B) discrimination
C) intolerance
D) prejudice

Question 15

In the early twentieth century, policewomen worked primarily with women and children in need of help or correction. What were policewomen often called?

A) angels of death
B) Depression babies
C) city mothers
D) police dames

Question 16

Which legislative act barred discrimination on the basis of sex, opening up opportunities for female police officers to perform patrol duty?

A) Equal Rights Amendment (1976)
B) Nineteenth Amendment (1789, 1992)
C) Civil Rights Act (1964)
D) Antidiscrimination Act (1950)

Question 17

Which term describes the simultaneous expectation from white officers that African American officers would give African American suspects better treatment and from members of the African American community that African American officers were traitors to their race?

A) double marginality
B) "can't win for losing"
C) reverse racism
D) duplicate discrimination

Question 18

Title VII of which act was designed to prohibit all job discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin?

A) the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972
B) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968
C) the Civil Rights Act of 1964
D) the Fourteenth Amendment

Question 19

What was the distinctive feature of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 (EEOA)?

A) The EEOA provided grants to police forces, including for recruiting and training law enforcement personnel.
B) The EEOA was enacted to assist local governments to reduce crime by increasing the fairness of law enforcement.
C) The EEOA extended the provisions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act to state and local governments.
D) The EEOA was the first federal act to prohibit all job discrimination based on race or gender.

Question 20

What type of discrimination, which is discrimination as the indirect result of policies or practices, is the most prevalent form of job discrimination?

A) unintentional
B) paternalistic
C) de facto
D) political

Question 21

The decision in Griggs v. Duke Power Company (1971) established the concept that __________.

A) job requirements must be job related
B) companies may require high school diplomas for all employees
C) power companies are exempt from Title VII because of the inherent risks of working with electricity
D) adverse impact is insufficient reason for an employer to require a standard intelligence test

Question 22

Which of the following describes white male backlash as it relates to the police?

A) As more minority members and women were hired as police officers, more white men began to commit and be arrested for crimes of violence.
B) As reverse discrimination became police policy, angry white male police officers were involved in an increasing number of traffic accidents.
C) Following the failure of counter-lawsuits from white male police officers passed over for promotion, suicide rates among these officers began to climb.
D) As more minority members and women were hired for and promoted within police jobs, there were fewer white men received those jobs, which made them angry and resentful.

Question 23

Mike O'Reilly is a white male police officer with a good, but average, work history. When his partner, Maureen Harper, an exemplary officer who was awarded a medal of valor, was promoted to a position he wanted, he believed she only received the promotion because she is a woman. Therefore, he has filed a lawsuit against the department. This is an example of ___________.

A) white male backlash
B) reverse discrimination
C) law enforcement promotion policies
D) Title VII entitlements

Question 24

What is the purpose of affirmative action programs?

A) to apply reverse discrimination to punish formerly privileged groups
B) to ensure that everyone has the same opportunity for employment or promotion
C) to make up for or undo past discrimination
D) to increase the number of positive interactions between people of different races

Question 25

Under what type of arrangement are a certain percentage of openings reserved for particular groups?

A) quota
B) affirmative action
C) reverse discrimination
D) discrimination policy

Question 26

The study Policewomen on Patrol: Final Report (Police Foundation) found that women officers _________.

A) did not make as many arrests as their male colleagues, and so received more support in the community
B) were less likely to be charged with improper conduct than male officers
C) took significantly longer than male officers to adapt to the socialization requirements of the force
D) were more inclined to file lawsuits against the department for suspected discrimination

Question 27

A recent study showed little difference between arrest rates for male and female police officers EXCEPT ____________.

A) male officers arrested more drug offenders, whereas female officers arrested more sex offenders
B) male officers were more likely not to arrest if a crowd had gathered
C) female officers were more likely to arrest if supervisors were watching
D) female officers were less likely to arrest if the suspect was of the same race as the officer

Question 28

The Project on Policing Neighborhoods (POPN) study determined that which officers placed more value on quality-of-life policing issues?

A) African American
B) white
C) Hispanic
D) Asian American

Question 29

After reviewing the Christopher Commission report on the riots in Los Angeles following the Rodney King incident, what action did a city councilmember recommend to reduce incidents of police violence in the LAPD?

A) hiring more African American police officers
B) adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward officers using excessive force
C) hiring more women police officers
D) promoting more white male police officers

Question 30

According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) publication, in 2013, it was reported for the first time that nearly what percentage of first-line supervisors were women?

A) 12 percent
B) 9.5 percent
C) 10.6 percent
D) 7.6 percent

Question 31

Which of the following is a major issue regarding Hispanic police officers?

A) There are many homogenous groups from different places that are all Hispanic.
B) Community members often confuse Hispanic officers with Latino officers.
C) There is no clear consensus on what it means to be Hispanic.
D) Many Hispanic officers do not speak English well.

Question 32

The Asian population in the United States has increased dramatically, __________.

A) but most police departments have few, if any, Asian officers.
B) and as a result, the number of Asian police officers has increased dramatically as well.
C) and as a result, the number of Asian criminals has increased dramatically as well.
D) so Asian police officers no longer experience any discrimination.

Question 33

One problem for both male and female Muslim police officers is that ___________.

A) since September 11, 2001, this group has received little attention
B) standard police holidays do not include Muslim holy days
C) police uniforms do not conform to Muslim requirements for clothing and grooming
D) most American Muslims speak very little English

Question 34

In what year did the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) rescind its policy of opposing the employment of gay police officers?

A) 1969
B) 1982
C) 1996
D) 2005

Question 35

What important factor has allowed more women and minority police officers to enter the higher ranks?

A) Affirmative action programs have allowed women and minority police officers to skip ahead of their white male counterparts.
B) Women and minority police officers are better police officers and, therefore, are more likely to be promoted.
C) The passage of time has allowed women and minority police officers to acquire the needed time in rank to qualify for promotion.
D) Because there are so few women and minority police officers, they are needed in high-ranking positions to serve as mentors.

Question 36

Officer Jill Williams plans to take courses from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Women's Leadership Institute, where she will also have the opportunity to _____________.

A) develop a mentoring relationship with a successful female law enforcement executive
B) build her physical skills through exercise training programs and obstacle courses
C) write policy on workplace harassment, pregnancy, and other issues important to women in law enforcement
D) impress her superiors and exit the program with a higher rank

Question 37

Which organization is working specifically on the issues facing African American officers through research, outreach, and shaping policy?

A) NCWP
B) IACP
C) NAACP
D) NOBLE

Question 38

One issue facing all minority groups in law enforcement is that both community members and other police officers ____________.

A) react to them with white male backlash
B) label them as troublemakers
C) hold stereotyping ideas but don't vocalize them
D) are afraid of them