NCJ Number
172549
Date Published
1996
Length
28 pages
Annotation
A futures study examined the increasing impact of Mexican-Americans on California's political process and its implications for small and middle-sized police agencies in the future.
Abstract
The research used a nominal group technique to develop likely future scenarios and a focus group process to develop a strategic plan and an implementation for the El Centro Police Department in the Imperial Valley The discussion noted that native-born and immigrant Mexican-Americans will represent 35 percent of the California population by the year 2005. The desire of immigrants to maintain their cultural identity makes it likely that Mexican-American communities will continue to elect Mexican-Americans or candidates who are sympathetic to their needs to the majority of local elected positions. These officials will influence the selection of police chiefs and other important public officials. The likely scenario for the El Centro Police Department includes a strategic and transition management plan to ensure policies that allowed for a proportion inclusion of Mexican-Americans, while recruiting and training only the best qualified persons for the police agency. The implementation plan involved policy formation, feedback solicitation, budgeting, recruitment strategies, a training plan, and promotional opportunities for Mexican-American employees, and daily operational management. Figures and reference notes