Race relations

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Racial Relations
Police and racial tension are one of the most challenging situations the current Justice Systems face. Despite America being one of the most diversified and liberated countries around the world, the issue of racial conflict between the police and the community, particularly minority groups, is a persistent and delicate problem. There is, therefore, a need for improvement in racial correlations between the police force and the persons they serve. This paper identifies ways in which the existing racial tensions between the two groups can be reduced and eliminated leading to an improved relationship.
The present racial conflicts between the authorities and the society are a result of unsolved racism issues dating back to the American history where minority groups were viewed as inferior to the Whites. And despite the approval of the 13th, 14th, and 15th American Constitution amendment that approved Blacks their liberty from slavery and equal rights with the Whites, racial discrimination is still evident in the current world. Additionally, ethnic and ratio pressures are still evident. The media is always broadcasting reports of seemingly racial-related reports, especially ones involving the police departments and African Americans or Hispanics. It is important to note that all police agencies are dependent on their respective communities for their support and mutual aid. On the other hand, the public is reliant on the law enforcement units for security and other services.

However, when relationships between the two groups become strained and develop pressures, then neither of the group can obtain benefits. In fact, these tensions develop mistrust and lack of confidence which in turn may prove grave when situation escalate and under fixed circumstances. Nevertheless, adoption and implementation of various strategies and behaviors can help better this condition.
A majority of police agencies have some form of institutionalized racism in which the departments are unable to offer professional and suitable services to some communities due to their different culture, race, or ethnic origin (Skutsch 970). The result of this condition expresses in discrimination against minority people. It, therefore, indicates that the problem is likely not individual induced but primarily structural. However, designing a program aimed at transforming the entire police department race structure is imperative. The program would involve giving background information about discrimination, its origin and acknowledging its existence in the current system. Afterward, the initiative will work towards changing the agency into an anti-prejudice service provider for all and ensure police refrain from perpetuating stereotypes or engaging in inappropriate behaviors or language. Most police units agree to have ethnic interaction training programs hence deny any accusation of prejudice practices against them. A changed institutional structure potentially provides a possibility in a change in ways in which the police officers need to relate with minorities in real situations.
As indicated earlier, the police depend on the public to obtain information and the public depend on authorities from protection services. However, when the community loses its confidence in law enforcement officers, then they tend to collaborate less likely. A report by the National Institute of Justice indicated that minorities lack confidence due to their views that law enforcers lack legitimacy and lawfulness (n.p). As a result, these people cannot confide in the officers for fear of being singled out due to their ethnicity. It is, hence, necessary for police units across the United States to endorse mechanisms that seek to develop police-community relations. Such mechanisms may involve officers engaging in community-based programs unrelated to their duties such as sports and social gatherings among others. This form of interaction would help improve trust in the police force and consequently develop better correlations such that people can confide in the force.
The last approach would be diversifying the police force. Weitzer indicates that 50 out of the 53 law enforcers in Fergusson, Missouri were White (n.p). Two-thirds of Fergusson population is African Americans. It is, thus, evident that Fergusson’s police department does not equally represent the populace it serves regarding diversity. Given that a majority of Black people perceive themselves as more likely to be discriminated against by the justice system than their white counterparts, an undiversified police unit strains its relations with the society. It is, therefore, imperative for law enforcement departments to have police officers that represent the region. Having diverse enforcers will help build trust with the people more than with a White-dominated unit.
In conclusion, police, and racial relationships is a delicate concern in the contemporary world particularly with the minority group lacking confidence with police officers. A significant number of Whites and Blacks believe in the existence of prejudice against minority persons, especially African Americans. Improving these relations requires the adoption of various practices such as conducting reforms in the justice systems where racism is more institutional than individualized. The changes would include educating the officers and having them adopt behaviors that are not prejudiced. The second method involves community policing in which law enforcers participate in public activities that are not duty-related to help build confidence. Lastly, embracing diversity at the workplace such that workers represent their region would contribute to improving the relations. Although these methods have the potential to help alleviate these correlations, incorporating them together and other plans can produce even better results.
Works Cited
National Institute of Justice. “Race, Trust and Police Legitimacy.” Office of Justice Programs.
2016. Retrieved from http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/legitimacy/pages/welcome.aspxSkutsch, Carl. Encyclopedia of the World’s Minorities. Routledge, NY.
Weitzer, Ronald. “Diversity among police officers is key, but it won’t solve the problems with
policing.” The Guardian. 2015. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/20/diversity-among-police-officers-is-key-but-it-wont-solve-the-problems-with-policing