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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon

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Results for cultural diversity

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Author: Schlosser, Michael David

Title: Evaluating the Midwest Police Academy's Ability to prepare recruits to police in a diverse multicultural society

Summary: This study evaluated the current training and practices implemented at the Midwest Police Academy to prepare recruits to police in racially and ethnically diverse communities. In this study, I adopted a critical race theory lens, which considered White privilege, dominant White male ideology, and color-blind racial ideology, when examining the training and practices at the academy. This study examined what the training looks like by providing detailed description of the training atmosphere as well as classroom instruction. The recruits racial attitudes were examined at the beginning and end of the training to explore potential changes. The instructors' and administrators' racial attitudes were also examined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Midwest Police Academy's ability to prepare recruits to police in racially and ethnically diverse communities by: (a) examining what the training at the Midwest Police Academy looks like in terms of the training atmosphere, curriculum, and classroom interaction; (b) investigating the racial beliefs and attitudes of recruits entering the academy and see if there are any changes at the end of training; (c) and investigating the racial beliefs and attitudes of instructors and administrators. This was a summative evaluation with the ultimate goal of this study being to search for ways to improve training and practices at the academy in terms of better preparing recruits to police in a racially and ethnically diverse society. In this study, I adopted a mixed methods approach, collecting data via interviews with instructors and recruits, classroom observations, and written documentation. Participants also completed the Color Blind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS) (Neville, Lilly, Lee, Duran, & Brown, 2000) to measure racial attitudes. Findings of the study indicated that current training and practices show indications of White privilege, White male ideology, and color-blind racial ideology. There were no significant changes in racial attitudes and beliefs of recruits. Recommendations included: (a) make racial and ethnic diversity training part of the mission statement and vision of MPA; (b) provide racial and ethnic diversity training for instructors and administrators; (c) integrate racial and ethnic diversity training throughout the curriculum, including within the scenario-based training; (d) find ways to create more class participation for racial and ethnic diversity related topics; (e) implement a course on the historical context of policing which includes police-minority relations; (f) include critical race theory and color-blind racial ideology in the curriculum which should include counter-storytelling; (g) recruit more racial and ethnic minority instructors and role players; and (h) involve the community in the training.

Details: Urban, IL: University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, 2011. 152p.

Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 13, 2017 at: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/26225/Schlosser_Michael.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Year: 2011

Country: United States

URL: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/26225/Schlosser_Michael.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Shelf Number: 146077

Keywords:
Cultural Diversity
Police Academy
Police Education and Training
Police Recruits
Racial Attitudes

Author: Zimny, Kenneth

Title: Teaching Police Cultural Diversity: using action research to improve the Midwest Police Academy's preparation of recruits to police in a diverse society

Summary: This research project is a follow-up to a study conducted by Michael Schlosser. Schlosser (2011) studied how the Midwest Police Academy (a pseudonym) prepared recruits to work in racially and ethnically diverse communities. This study took Schlosser's recommendations and developed an Action Research project to attempt to improve the cultural diversity training at the Midwest Police Academy (MPA). One of the recommendations from Schlosser's project was to, 'find ways to create more class participation for racial and ethnic diversity related topics' (p.105). This was coupled with information from the existing literature that advocated not attempting to change officer's beliefs in short cultural diversity courses. Instead, they advocated teaching cultural awareness. Attempts were made to make the MPA recruits aware of racial issues like colorblindness and tolerance. The recruits were given the Colorblind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS) during their first and last week at the academy. A focus group made up of the full-time instructors at the MPA was convened to discuss teaching cultural diversity. There was no significant change in CoBRAS scores. There needs to be a definite overhaul of the State curriculum and more time should be devoted to cultural diversity. Academy instructors should be taught the history of racism and the covert forms it takes in modern society.

Details: Urban, IL: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012. 125p.

Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 13, 2017 at: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/31029/Zimny_Kenneth.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Year: 2012

Country: United States

URL: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/31029/Zimny_Kenneth.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Shelf Number: 146078

Keywords:
Cultural Diversity
Police Academy
Police Education and Training
Police Recruits
Racial Attitudes