Improving Policing in a Multiracial Society in the United States: A New Approach

Researchers at the University of Illinois a newly implemented “diversity education” program (Policing in  a  Multiracial  Society  Project)  at  the  University  of  Illinois  Police  Training  Institute  which  is  designed  to  promote  fair  and  equitable  policing  practice.    The  program  emphasizes  increasing  racial  literacy  and  cultural  empathy.  The  research  team  has  adopted  a  tripartite  model  of  cultural  competencies  to  frame  the  educational  program.  The  objectives  of  the  PMSP  are  thus  to  increase  officers’ (a) awareness of their own social identities and racial beliefs; (b) knowledge about theory and research related to police misconduct and the socio-historical experiences of racial minority communities, especially with police and the criminal justice system; and (c) efficacy to apply the communication and basic  policing  skills  learned  at  the  Police  Training  Institute  in  a  culturally  informed  way.  The  program  was  implemented  with  two  cohort  groups  and  is  in  the  process  of  refining  the  educational  modules  for  a  third  cohort  group.  The  evaluative  data  collected  throughout  the  process  has  been  instructive in terms of refining educational processes and activities. The team received a wide-range of feedback on the program including pre- and post-program survey data, module evaluation data, and focus group discussions with veteran police officers, police recruits, and community members.