Solving the Problem of Recruiting Filipinos for Police Careers: Future Strategies and Immediate Recommendations

• NCJ Number: 109595
• Author(s): R C Dart
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 42 pages
• Corporate Author: California Cmssn on Peace Officer Standards and Training
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; POST Media Distribution Ctr
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This analysis of the recruitment of Filipinos as police officers in Vallejo, Calif., where a large segment of the population is Filipino, considers a cross-section of community attitudes toward the problem and recommends immediate and long-term approaches for increasing the number of Filipinos on the force.

Abstract

Although Vallejo and Solano County have the largest percentage of Filipinos in their populations of any city and county in the United States, only 1 sworn officer out of 100 is Filipino in the Vallejo Police Department. This study reviews the history of the Philippine culture, the place of Filipinos in American society, and how this bears upon police recruitment policies. The attitudinal survey found stereotyped perceptions of Filipinos among other racial groups both within the general community and the police department. Previous police recruitment strategies have been based on erroneous perceptions of how Filipinos view themselves. The police department should reassess the attitudes underlying recruitment policies, develop new channels for reaching the Filipino population with the message of a police career, develop a carefully selected recruitment team, and create an entry level career ladder for youth. Recommendations are also offered for how the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training can facilitate minority recruitment. 17 footnotes, 14-item bibliography. (Author abstract modified)