NCJ Number
101316
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: (1985) Pages: 391-412
Date Published
1985
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Pluralism in Canada may impact the police directly by impinging on their organization, personnel, and functions or indirectly through changes in other areas that eventually affect the police.
Abstract
In the Canadian context, pluralism refers to the situation of many diverse groups competing for power and influence within a democratic political process. Canada has a complex matrix of peoples, cultures, ideologies, languages, classes, and other significant points of diversity. Using the politically based conceptualization of pluralism, there is pluralism based on race, age, sex, religion, marital status, occupation, education, and income. Political orientation, place of residence, and organizational affiliation are also sources of pluralism. Various groups with common values and interests will inevitably attempt to influence police policy and operations so group needs will be better served. Competing pressures from various groups will be particularly experienced in the areas of resource allocation and enforcement priorities. Pluralism also fuels social change and associated changes in public perceptions of what the police should be doing. Police must decide how to interpret and respond to social change as a primary institution of social control. 30 references.