In this assignment, you will be able to describe different cultures’ views on criminal justice professionals and identify incidents of misunderstandings. You will also be able to explain the current professional practices as well as the best practices that can help create cultural sensitivity in criminal justice professionals.
Prompt
At the beginning of the term, you discussed Culture in Communication and the ways in which individual implicit bias and stereotyping can lead to negative interactions between law enforcement professionals and members of the community. You then developed your own diversity training to assist sworn officers in reducing these incidents. Understanding the need for cultural awareness and sensitivity in law enforcement can help bridge the gap as well as build trust between sworn professionals and the community. This will also assist you in completed Module Five Assignment One in this module.
In Project One, you chose a civilian role. In Project Three, your success in the first project has been recognized, and you will be asked to provide a report to the “Office of Accountability,” which would like to hear your thoughts on other relevant issues.
To help prepare you for this report, in this assignment you will focus on one culture or subculture and how its views of and past misunderstandings with criminal justice professionals might impact interactions between the groups. Choose a culture or subculture group other than your own that you would like to examine further. For each section below, provide the following:
Views
Summarize, in 150–300 words, an example of each of the following:
- Viewpoints your chosen culture or subculture group might have about criminal justice professionals
- An explanation of why this group might hold those views
Misunderstandings
Provide an example of a misunderstanding this culture or subculture group has had with criminal justice professionals. You may wish to consider one of the following areas. (Hint: You will need to provide an example of each of these areas in Project Three, so you may want to choose one of them now.)
- Language
- Religion/Beliefs
- Deafness
- Illiteracy
Professional Practices
Next, explore each of the professional practices listed below. For each practice, in 50–100 words, describe the practice and then bullet point some of the possible outcomes of instituting it. This will help prepare you to explore each of these practices and make recommendations to the “Office of Accountability” in Project Three. Refer to the Professional Practices Example PDF document for expectations and formatting guidelines for this section of the assignment.
- Understanding the public
- Diversity training
- Procedural justice
- Police legitimacy
- Diverse hiring practices
Specifically, the following rubric criteria must be addressed:
- Explore the viewpoints of a culture or subculture group and why that group might hold those views.
- Provide an example of a misunderstanding between a culture or subculture group and criminal justice professionals.
- Describe professional practices and possible outcomes.
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Views of the Hispanic/Latino Community Toward Criminal Justice Professionals
The Hispanic/Latino community has historically held mixed viewpoints regarding law enforcement and the broader criminal justice system. Many members of this community view criminal justice professionals with suspicion due to historical incidents of racial profiling, excessive use of force, and immigration enforcement policies that disproportionately affect them. Fear of deportation, even among legal residents, further complicates interactions with law enforcement, leading to a lack of trust and reluctance to report crimes.
Additionally, many Hispanic/Latino individuals perceive law enforcement as overly aggressive in their communities while offering less protection compared to other neighborhoods. This perception is reinforced by high-profile cases of police misconduct and an underrepresentation of Hispanic/Latino officers in law enforcement agencies. Cultural differences, language barriers, and a lack of familiarity with legal rights contribute to miscommunications that fuel distrust. These issues highlight the need for improved cultural awareness, better outreach programs, and community engagement to build stronger relationships between law enforcement and the Hispanic/Latino community.
Example of a Misunderstanding: Language Barriers in Law Enforcement
One major misunderstanding between the Hispanic/Latino community and criminal justice professionals involves language barriers. A notable example occurred in 2010 in Arizona when a Spanish-speaking man was detained and questioned without a translator present. The officers, assuming he was being uncooperative due to his inability to respond in English, escalated the situation, resulting in unnecessary use of force. This misunderstanding could have been avoided if the officers had access to language interpretation services or had received proper training on handling non-English-speaking individuals.
Language barriers often lead to misinterpretations of intent, confusion over legal rights, and heightened tensions. Many Hispanic/Latino individuals may be unfamiliar with legal terminology or may not fully understand their rights, leading to compliance issues that officers misinterpret as resistance. Providing multilingual officers or interpreters can help bridge this gap and prevent such misunderstandings in the future.
Professional Practices and Their Outcomes
Understanding the Public
Understanding the cultural backgrounds and concerns of the communities served is crucial for law enforcement.
Strengthens relationships between officers and community members.
Reduces fear and distrust of law enforcement.
Encourages cooperation in investigations and crime prevention.
Diversity Training
Diversity training helps law enforcement professionals understand different cultural perspectives and biases that affect policing.
Enhances officers’ ability to interact respectfully with diverse communities.
Reduces incidents of racial profiling and discrimination.
Improves officers’ cultural competence and sensitivity.
Procedural Justice
Procedural justice emphasizes fairness, transparency, and respectful treatment in law enforcement interactions.
Builds public trust and cooperation.
Reduces complaints and use-of-force incidents.
Encourages community members to report crimes and assist investigations.
Police Legitimacy
Police legitimacy refers to the public’s belief that law enforcement operates fairly and ethically.
Increases voluntary compliance with laws.
Enhances officer safety by reducing confrontational interactions.
Strengthens overall community relations and security.
Diverse Hiring Practices
Recruiting officers from diverse backgrounds ensures law enforcement reflects the communities they serve.
Encourages better communication between officers and civilians.
Reduces implicit bias and stereotyping within departments.
Promotes community confidence in law enforcement.
By implementing these professional practices, law enforcement agencies can foster positive relationships with culturally diverse communities, ensuring justice is served fairly and effectively.
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