NCJ Number
152151
Journal
Gazette Volume: 56 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1994) Pages: 15-18
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Common myths associated with police cultural awareness training are exposed to help police administrators and trainers critically evaluate various approaches to such training.
Abstract
Five myths are exposed and countered, the first of which is that cultural awareness training is remedial training for police officers who are insensitive, uncouth, and racist. A second myth is that cultural awareness training should focus on cultural customs. A third myth is that the best way to train police officers is to get culturally diverse persons from the community to conduct the training. Other myths are that cultural awareness training should be provided to relieve political pressures and that a police department's need for cultural awareness training decreases when the department becomes more culturally diverse. The author notes that confusion prevails regarding cultural awareness training goals, content, and methods, and that myths are often introduced to law enforcement by trainers who present their own style of sensitivity training.