This course will explore the pervasive influence of culture, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and various disabilities on daily encounters, contacts and interactions between police officers and civilian employees of police organizations, and other community members. The emphasized focus is on the cross-cultural contact, ethno-cultural diversity, the need for awareness and the understanding of cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, gender, and array of disabilities and other differences. The need to understand these differences is rooted in the concept of procedural justice and respect for those of different backgrounds that influences the decision-making processes regarding deployment and other operational considerations.
Effective policing cannot be delivered without ensuring legitimization and trust from the public, the goal of this course is to analyze the concepts of various stereotypes, both positive and negative, and evaluate the impact of prejudice and pre-conceived notions on police professionalism. The nature and concepts of police role in the context of an increasingly growing multicultural society are discussed. The role of a modern police officer, as generated by the balance of newly redefined requirements of peace and order and those of individual rights are the running theme. Suggestions for improving law enforcement in multicultural communities, through recognition for the need of greater awareness and transparency of one’s biases, are the desired outcomes of the course.
Upon the completion of the course, the student will be able to