Do you think that there is a direct relation between discrimination within a police department and racial bias policing in the public? How so? Do you see it in your local police department? Explain.

READ AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS FOR EACH. MAKE SURE TO DO IT IN THAT SAME ORDER. THANK YOU.

1. “A call comes over dispatch that a security guard at a shopping mall in a predominantly white neighborhood has seen four Hispanic males. The security guard reports that they are gang members because they are all wearing matching leather jackets and red ball caps. He reports that they have just opened and closed their car trunk and are now entering the mall. The security guard notifies the merchants, some of whom immediately begin closing their stores. You are the officer in the vicinity of the mall who responds to the call just as the juveniles are leaving the mall and are heading toward their car. In the meantime, several merchants continue to be anxious about the “gang members,” leaving their stores closed.”

The above is a scenario based on real-life situations in the law enforcement world. Read the scenario and discuss what you think should happen as a result. What action would you take if you were a police officer? What could the police officers legally do in this scenario? How could they resolve the situation given the call for help from the security guard/store owners? Guide your thinking and your responses based on what you have just read, as well as your personal experiences (if they apply).

2.Please review this article from the NY Times regarding racial bias within the San Francisco police department.

Do you think that there is a direct relation between discrimination within a police department and racial bias policing in the public? How so? Do you see it in your local police department? Explain. What about in your work place? Do you see any type of discrimination or bias? Does it reflect from the supervisor down to the employees? Feel free to be as open as you’d like in your discussion. I find that personal experiences are best in these discussions as you have the strongest opinions on the issue. Remember to use your readings and other resources I have provided to guide your discussion.

3.Review this article concerning the hiring of more minority officers that properly represent the community in which the department serves.

Lessons For Ferguson In Creating A Diverse Police Department

Do you think it is important to have a specific strategy to hire more minority police officers? Why or why not?

The article briefly mentioned a strategy to recruit minority officers – do you think this method will be effective? How would you do it?

Is your local police department actively recruiting minority officers? Do you think the department represents the community in which it serves?

Some argue that a city’s desire to hire minority officers is only to please the public (e.g. it is politics). What do you think?

Others argue that focusing only on minority officers may diminish the sanctity of the police officer profession, as well as lower the standards for becoming a police officer. What do you think?

Base your arguments and responses on academic support first, personal opinion second.

4. Read this brief article on communication barriers between the community and the Buffalo Police Department.

http://www.wkbw.com/news/concerns-over-language-barriers-with-police

How else do you think the Buffalo Police Department can address the community concerns aside from those already listed in the article?

Do you think your local police department ha a cross-cultural communication issue? Explain. How can they address it?

Can you give examples as to how barriers in communication may escalate a confrontation between a police officer and a citizen? Give personal examples if it applies.

Now read this article describing a situation between a deaf California citizen and the police.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-man-claims-police-beat-him-because-they-didnt-realize-he-was-deaf/

How do you think the officers acted in this situation? How else could they have responded?

Without second-guessing the police officers’ actions, how would YOU have acted in this situation, given the facts of the case?

5.Read this article concerning a community issue with the police department in New Jersey:

http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2014/11/in_wake_of_home_invasions_questions_about_lack_of_asian_cops_in_central_nj.html

After reading this article, consider the other reading listed in the coursework “Hurdles in Hiring Asian-American Police Officers”. How can we bridge the gap? What can police departments and local municipalities do to encourage the hiring of more Asian-American police officers?

What do you think are some of the reasons why police departments have difficulty recruiting Asian/Pacific-American police officers?

Professor DeCarlo, who teaches @ John Jay, stated in the article that “the department has to be respectful and understanding of the population, rather than reflect the population”. What do you think he meant by this statement? Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?