Multicultural Issues and Societal Diversity

Challenges in the Public Services Industry

In order to effectively operate a public safety organization, one must understand multiculturalism and the discriminatory factors that affect society on a daily basis.

Multiculturalism

• Relates to communities containing multiple cultures

• As a descriptive term, it usually refers to the simple fact of cultural diversity: it is generally applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, sometime at the organizational level, e.g. schools, businesses, neighbourhoods, cities, or nations.

• As a normative term, it refers to ideologies or policies that promote diversity or its institutionalization

Andrew Heywood (17 October 2000). Key concepts in politics. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 227. ISBN 978-0-312-23381-5.

Diversity

• Merriam Webster definition

• the condition of having or being composed of differing elements : variety; especially : the inclusion of different types of people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization

The transformation of multi-ethnic, demographically multicultural societies has created a major challenge for policy makers seeking to manage ethnic diversity without exacerbating violence and conflict and in a manner beneficial to all.

Multiculturalism and Law Enforcement

• Dramatic changes in the ethnic and racial makeup of the population have created new challenges at all levels of police work.

• Willingness to gain cultural information about the new communities that they serve will ultimately benefit officers in their interactions with people of different backgrounds.

• Trust in many ethnic communities has to be earned because of the cultural “baggage” that community members bring to their relationships with the police.

• Members of the law enforcement profession have to examine their words, behaviors, and actions to evaluate whether they are conveying professionalism and respect to all people, regardless of their race, culture, religion, or ethnic background.

• Law enforcement agencies must be free of all expressions of prejudice on the part of their officers and civilian employees.

• Law enforcement agencies in partnership and collaboration with communities are likely to experience decreased crime rates and in- creased trust and cooperation with citizens of all backgrounds.