Rethinking Diversity in Policing: An Analysis of Diversity Training Standards in Basic Police Academies Across the United States

Abstract

Recent events of police interactions with citizens have raised a nationwide debate on the effectiveness of police training and whether police officers are prepared to address the needs of and successfully interact with populations of diverse cultural backgrounds. This research uses a mixed methods design to explore the emphasis placed on diversity training in state-mandated basic police curricula across 49 U.S. states from a public administration-oriented perspective. The study analyzes interviews and course content and hours to evaluate the coverage of four dimensions for effective diversity training: 1) Why is diversity relevant in basic police training? 2) Who are “the diverse” addressed in the training? 3) What is the diversity content in the basic police curriculum? and 4) How is diversity taught in basic academies? The article concludes by offering practical recommendations on how to improve diversity competencies in police training and practice.