NCJ Number
83027
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Members of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Minority Manpower Project (LEMMP) report the efforts and successes of their project but emphasize remaining discriminatory tactics aimed at keeping minority persons from careers in law enforcement.
Abstract
Cited program accomplishments include the 10 percent black proportion of employees in the Jackson police department, 39 percent in the county, and 12 percent in the sheriff's department. In addition, 9 black police recruits are participating in the police cadet training program. The Jackson fire department is also involved in LEMMP's efforts to place minority personnel in public service occupations. Nevertheless, serious discriminatory resistance is ascertained by LEMMP. One example is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Test, used by the police as a personality assessment of officer candidates. This is not a content measurement instrument; high reading skills are required and results can be both discretionally and discriminatorily interpreted. It is used as a third step in the qualifying process, at which point black candidates are often eliminated. LEMMP has requested that a more appropriate testing instrument be adopted. Secondly, a class action suit is underway which seeks a consent decree ordering the hiring of blacks in public service areas in proportionate numbers.