NCJ Number
128059
Date Published
1991
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Prejudice and discrimination in police work are examined in terms of their nature, impact on policing, and manifestations in one police agency.
Abstract
Prejudice is an emotional attitude, whereas discrimination is conscious, intentional, and systematic inequitable treatment of others. Prejudice is the culmination of a life-long socialization process and cannot be eliminated through human relations training. Instead, training, together with departmental policies and procedures and supervision, should focus on containing discriminatory behavior. A survey of 96 of the 104 sworn police officers in McAllen, Tex. gathered information about sexual and ethnic discrimination within the police force. Seventy-three percent of the respondents were Hispanic, and all six female police officers responded. Findings indicated both prejudice and support for female police and widespread perceptions of discriminatory recruitment and promotion procedures. 28 references and 5 study questions