NCJ Number
83024
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Activities related to law enforcement minority employment in Miami and New York City are discussed.
Abstract
Miami's Tricultural Program is designed to attract more blacks and Latins to the Miami Police Force. Several strategies used to overcome cultural and attitudinal problems aimed at helping blacks and Latins qualify for selection and to thrive at the police academy. For each obstacle encountered by minority applicants, the program devised a counter plan (e.g., swimming lessons were offered to poor swimmers needing to pass the required swimming test). A total of 350 recruits were hired as a result of the program, with 98 percent of them being black and Latins. Of these, 278 took the civil exam. In New York City, minorities, particularly Puerto Ricans, may have to penetrate the power infrastructure to really change policies and practices. To this end, the Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund is helping Puerto Ricans get into law school. Only when more minorities are judges, agency administrators, and lawyers, and in other influential positions will much needed change occur. Success depends on the cooperation of all minority groups.