NCJ Number
83021
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
LEMMP directors and a National Urban League consultant discuss the National Urban League's Law Enforcement Minority Manpower Project (LEMMP) in Cleveland, Ohio, and Topeka, Kans., and point out success factors for their program as a whole.
Abstract
LEMMP's purpose was to help recruit minority applicants for law enforcement agencies, especially police departments. Cleveland's experience indicated that minority recruitment must be done by blacks. Cleveland used aggressive tactics, going into local high schools, colleges, and universities and redesigned recruitment literature to portray blacks in law enforcement positions. Cleveland also managed to change many discriminatory practices involved in the selection of qualified applicants. Project strategy in the Topeka, Kans., Police Department involved formulating a definition of minorities to include blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, underprivileged whites, and women. Topeka's program found that, similar to Cleveland's experience, much can be accomplished through diplomatic agitation, and understanding department and city politics, open communication with the police chief and other city officials, and development of a concrete plan of action. Black offenders, according to the consultant, can also be influenced by the black police officers who can help to alter young blacks' perceptions of law enforcement personnel by becoming involved in community affairs.