NCJ Number
6184
Journal
ISSUES IN CRIMINOLOGY Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (WINTER 1971) Pages: 85-95
Date Published
1971
Length
11 pages
Annotation
FAILURE OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO ACHIEVE MEANINGFUL RACIAL BALANCE.
Abstract
THE PRIMARY FAILURE LIES IN THE REFUSAL OF POLICE AND POLITICAL LEADERS TO RECOGNIZE THE POLITICAL CONTENT OF POLICE WORK. WHEN THEIR GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF PASSIVE REPRESENTATION, THE KIND OF REDISTRIBUTION OF INFLUENCE THAT ACTIVE REPRESENTATION ENTAILS IS SYSTEMATICALLY EXCLUDED. FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO POINT HELPLESSLY TO THE SMALL NUMBER OF MINORITY MEMBERS WHO APPLY, OR TO THE SMALL NUMBER THAT SURVIVES THE SCREENING PROCESS. UNDER-REPRESENTATION OF BLACKS AND OTHER MINORITIES IS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF RACISM, OR, AS IT IS MORE PROPERLY TERMED, INSTITUTIONAL RACISM. AUTHOR ABSTRACT