NCJ Number
144743
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1993) Pages: 44-62
Date Published
1993
Length
19 pages
Annotation
In examining the representation of visible minorities in Canada's police forces in the context of employment equity, this study found that the proportion of the visible minorities is increasing mainly in urban areas.
Abstract
Studies indicate that unrelated job requirements eliminate a number of prospective visible minority applicants to Canada's police forces. In addition, 1986 census data show that visible minorities are poorly represented in police forces. Regional disparity is prevalent in occupational demographic representation within Canada; minorities are better represented in police than in fire fighting occupations but are less represented in police occupations than in the Canadian Armed Forces. According to the Metropolitan Toronto Police, visible minorities are well represented among civilian employees of the police department, reflecting the demographic reality of the Toronto area. Data from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) indicate that visible minorities are better represented among civilian police employees than among regular police officers. RCMP data also demonstrate that some efforts have been made by selected police forces to increase the representation of visible minorities. Further, the RCMP has changed its recruitment strategy from reactive to proactive in order to accelerate minority representation. As of 1986, 6.3 percent of the Canadian population was comprised of visible minorities. Studies indicate that, if current immigration patterns prevail, over 10 percent of Canadians will be members of visible minority groups by the year 2000. These groups face prejudice, racism, and discrimination, and equal rights in employment is a major concern. Underrepresentation of visible minorities in police forces is greater for women than for men and greater in rural areas than in urban areas. 123 references, 14 notes, 15 tables, and 1 graph