NCJ Number
53781
Date Published
1978
Length
41 pages
Annotation
THE CONTINUATION OF A PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND NUMBER OF MINORITIES IN THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS DESCRIBED. THE FOCUS IS ON METHODS, GRANT APPLICATION, AND CONTRACT APPLICATION.
Abstract
THE FORMS USED IN APPLYING FOR THE FEDERAL GRANT ARE PRESENTED, ALONG WITH THE PROJECTED BUDGET FOR APRIL 1, 1976 THROUGH MARCH 31, 1977. A MULTISTRATEGY METHOD IS TO BE EMPLOYED UTILIZING EXTENSIVE PUBLIC MEDIA ADVERTISING, RECRUITING VISITS TO UNIVERSITIES, MOBILE VANS FOR COMMUNITY CONTACT AND CONTACT WITH RETURNING VETERANS, WITH EMPHASIS UPON THE MINORITY COMMUNITY. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT 300 NEW POLICE OFFICERS WILL RESULT FROM THIS PROJECT OF WHICH 165 WILL BE MEMBERS OF MINORITY GROUPS. EXPECTED EFFECTS ARE NOT ONLY A REDUCTION OF THE CRIME INDEX RATE IN HOUSTON BUT ALSO IMPROVEMENT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S IMAGE AND INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF THE POLICE BY THE COMMUNITY. THE CITY'S POPULATION OF OVER 1,600,000 IS COMPOSED OF APPROXIMATELY 25 PERCENT BLACK, 12 PERCENT MEXICAN-AMERICAN, AND 0.92 PERCENT OTHER MINORITY ORIGINS. IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PROJECT, 1973-74, THERE WAS A 137 PERCENT INCREASE IN BLACK APPLICANTS COMPARED TO A 30 PERCENT INCREASE IN WHITE APPLICANTS; THERE WAS A 738 PERCENT INCREASE IN APPLICANTS CERTIFIED FOR TRAINING AS CONTRASTED WITH AN 80 PERCENT WHITE INCREASE. STILL THE PRESENT STRENGTH OF 2,498 SWORN PERSONNEL REMAINS APPROXIMATELY 50 PERCENT BELOW ESTABLISHED NATIONAL STANDARDS IN RATIO TO POPULATION. ACCORDING TO THE GRANT APPLICATION, METHODS TO BE EMPLOYED WILL INCLUDE (1) A PUBLIC MEDIA CAMPAIGN WITH USE OF TELEVISION, RADIO, NEWSPAPERS, COLLEGE PUBLICATIONS, BILLBOARDS AND BROCHURES; (2) A MOBILE RECRUITING OFFICE TO TAKE RECRUITING PERSONNEL AND MATERIALS TO SHOPPING CENTERS, CIVIC FUNCTIONS, AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONS IN MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS, AS WELL AS HIGH SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND MILITARY POSTS; (3) AN INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN IN 96 NEARBY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WITH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER AND STUDENT PERSONNEL OFFICE CONTACTS; AND (4) A CONCENTRATION ON MILITARY SERVICE DISCHARGEES, USING THE MAIL FOR A RECRUITMENT INFORMATION PACKAGE AND USING THE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ASSOCIATION FOR PRESENTATION OF RECRUITING SEMINARS. VARIOUS LETTERS ALONG WITH THE RESUME OF THE PROJECT DIRECTOR AND THE DETAILED REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND THE ADVERTISING BID FORM ARE INCLUDED. THE CONTRACT ITSELF WITH SPECIAL EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY CLAUSE AND THE STANDARD GRANT FORMS ARE PROVIDED. (FCW)