Chapter 3

Question 1

Describe what sort of nation we are in terms of demographics, and some of the ways in which we are a changing population; include what is meant in contemporary terms of “diversity”

Answer 1

At the time the book was written: More people are under the age of 18 than over the age of 65. There are more females than males. 77.4% of population is white, next Hispanic, then black, then American Indian, etc.

Changing: Projected to age over the coming decades with 1. higher proportions of the nation’s total population in the older ages (65+), 2. working and young people to keep rising 3. increase in populations of young and working people and is on the verge of a baby boomlet (more babies due to immigrants have more kids).

New definition of diversity includes: variations in age, language skills, culture, religion/belief system, and sexual orientation.

Question 2

Explain how immigration has become a political and social battle for our society and police.

Answer 2

This “immigration emergency” and demo- graphic shift of the undocumented population resulted in an expansion of the role of federal immigration officials from maintaining the security of the borders to the enforcement of immigration laws in cities, towns, and villages throughout the United States. The relocation of immigrants from farming communities and predominately rural areas to cities and subur- ban communities has resulted in a cultural clash and generated a backlash against immi- grants, who look different, speak foreign lan- guages, and do not fit well within the social and political milieu of communities.
The influx of the immigrant population into cities and suburban communities has caused the federal government to reallocate a higher percentage of its resources to these areas and to encourage greater cooperation and support from state and municipal law enforcement agencies.

Question 3

Delineate the historical background of police- minority relations, and the events that occurred in Ferguson, Missouri, and other such venues that have caused a schism between police and minorities

Answer 3

Not a recent phenomenon- in 2015, Obama commemorated the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, AL- when state troopers met Dr. MLK and peaceful marchers with batons and tear gas, which led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Question 4

Review the kinds of actions that might be taken to close the police- minority divide.

Answer 4

1. Recruit and diversify the agency and thus provide a good means for giving people a voice.
2. Police stop bluring lines with the military and begin wearing body cameras.
3. Drugs be legalized.
4. Require college degrees for police officers- studies have shown that police officers with college degrees use less force.
5. Greater transparency using web sites and databases

Question 5

Explain how police body cameras, changing the police mindset, requirements, EI systems, and addressing bias based policing (racial profilings) have their respective roles to play in police-minority relations.

Answer 5

Feel like this was answered above.

Question 6

True or False:
The issue of police use of body cameras is generally felt to be a “win-win” between police and community, as there is no inherent legal or social problems or issues involved.

Answer 6

False

Question 7

True or false:
During the mid 2010s, police minority relations can be said, overall, to have improved.

Answer 7

False

Question 8

True or false:
At present, there is no firm immigration policy in the United States.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

True or false:
Anticipated demographic changes in the United States include an overall younger population, with fewer immigrants and minorities.

Answer 9

False

Question 10

Early Intervention Systems (EIS)

Answer 10

computer database police management tool designed to identify officers whose behavior is problematic, as indicated by preselected performance indicator fields determined by the agency.