Police Discrimination

My proposal to address this issue is on a meso level by employing social workers in police departments to tackle, reduce, and ultimately end racism during interaction with the police and minorities, with a focus on African Americans. This would be done by educating police officers on cultural differences, having them explore known and unknown biases, and offer clinical support as needed. “Law enforcement must bridge differences and cross-relational barriers to do their jobs (Cornett-DeVito, 2000, p. 235).” Proper implication would not only benefit African Americans, but other minorities, poor people, women, mentally ill, diasabled, and the LGBT communities as well as the police officers themselves. The racial tension between the African American …show more content…
“It is important that a police social worker understand law enforcement culture, procedures and establish and maintain rapport with the police officers and a diverse community (Patterson, 2008).” A social worker in such a setting may have to overcome being tested by police officers and officials similar to a white social worker may that is tested by a minority. A will have to learn the law enforcement culture and biases (known or unknown) they have towards the police. A social worker is a person of color they would have the added obstacle of the negative stereotype of their race by police officers or the …show more content…
Many of what was mentioned is what social workers have to do during their MSW program and throughout their careers, the police simulator training would be done in order to have a better understanding of the position police officers are in. The police trainings are optional components, but I am of the opinion that the training would be beneficial to the social workers that are employed a police department. Once the social workers themselves are educated and face any bias they themselves may have they can start working within the