NCJ Number
100971
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 59 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1986) Pages: 56-67
Date Published
1986
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Racism awareness training for British police must focus on attitude change if it is to have a significant effect on police performance in dealing with racial minorities.
Abstract
In recommending the immediate initiation of racism awareness training for police, the Police Training Council Working Party on Community and Race Relations Training for Police states that such training must address both attitudes and behavior. Zimbardo identifies three dimensions of attitudes. They are the emotional dimension, which relates to feelings about an object or person; the cognitive dimension, which involves what a subject knows or believes about an object or person; and the behavioral dimension, which pertains to the subject's behavior toward an object or person. Police training must address these three dimensions and be related to real-life situations. The emotional and behavioral dimensions of nondiscriminatory attitudes can be cultivated through role playing, experimental exercises, and videotape feedback of these exercises. The intellectual dimension can be addressed by dispelling myths, false stereotypes, and misunderstandings regarding racial minorities. The article lists instructor qualities required for such a course. 17 references.