RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTION OF A MINORITY GROUP INTO AN ESTABLISHED INSTITUTION - THE POLICE

• NCJ Number: 31046
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1975) Pages: 410-416
• Author(s): R M REGOLI; D E JEROME
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Northwestern University
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN MAJOR UNITED STATES CITIES ARE EXAMINED TO DETERMINE TRENDS IN THE HIRING AND PROMOTION OF BLACK POLICE OFFICERS.

Abstract

REASONS FOR THE UNDERREPRESENTATION OF BLACKS ON POLICE FORCES ARE FIRST EXAMINED. THESE INCLUDE DISCRIMINATORY HIRING PRACTICES, THE INABILITY OF BLACKS TO PASS WHITE-ORIENTED WRITTEN ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS, AND RELUCTANCE OF BLACKS TO JOIN POLICE FORCES. THE NEED FOR SPECIAL EFFORTS IN RECRUITING BLACKS IS DISCUSSED, AND EXAMPLES OF SEVERAL RECRUITING PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED. AMONG THESE ARE THE TRAINING OF BLACKS THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER OR POLICE CADET PROGRAMS, AND ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE BLACKS TO JOIN THE POLICE. PATTERNS OF BLACK PROMOTION AND BLACK REPRESENTATION ON POLICE FORCES ARE CONSIDERED IN THE FINAL SECTION. THE DATA INDICATE THAT BLACKS ARE UNDERREPRESENTED ON POLICE FORCES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND THAT ONCE THEY ARE HIRED THEY ARE NOT PROMOTED AS EASILY AS WHITES.