NCJ Number
145177
Journal
International Journal of the Sociology of Law Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1993) Pages: 159-174
Date Published
1993
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This paper examines police hiring and employment practices regarding women, minority ethnic groups, and homosexuals in both Great Britain and the United States.
Abstract
Homophobia, racism, and misogyny permeate societal attitudes in both the United Kingdom and the United States. The police subcultures in these countries inevitably reflect these societal attitudes, particularly as found in the middle class. Police policy must aim to eliminate unacceptable values and attitudes over the long term. Over the short term, it must control behavior based on these attitudes so that homosexuals, ethnic minorities, and women are not at a disadvantage in police hiring. The United States uses financial liability and withdrawal of government support to promote nondiscriminatory police hiring. These policies have been effective. In the United Kingdom, on the other hand, complaints of discriminatory hiring practices are handled administratively by two government-funded bodies: the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission. They mediate grievances and only rarely prosecute offenders. Penalties for violations of equal opportunity hiring practices are insignificant. Still, within a disciplined police service, the opportunity for sanctions against discriminatory behavior exists and may be effective in controlling such behavior. 33 references