Every function of the criminal justice system is theoretically created to help protect citizens’
freedoms and to ensure the public’s safety (Schmalleger, 2020). However, it can be tremendously
difficult to protect the freedoms and safety of citizens in a multicultural society. Cultures come
with their own unique set of various norms, values, and routine behaviors. Paradoxically,
America promotes diversity and the inclusion of all cultures while still prosecuting actions or
deeds that may be deemed just according to any given perpetrator’s culture. For example, what
Americans view as sexual or domestic violence, and thus an act of criminality, may be a
normalized, accepted behavior in a number of other cultures (Schmalleger, 2020). So how do
criminal justice agencies meet the demands and expectations for protecting the rights of citizens
while ensuring social control, safety, and security of the public?
Criminal justice practitioners must have the ability to interact effectively with people of different
cultures. This is called cultural competence (Schmalleger, 2020). Having this skill ensures the
needs of all community members are fairly addressed. Psalm 117:1-2 (New King James Version
Bible, 1982) states, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His
merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever.” It is vital
criminal justice practitioners view and treat justice impartially. Unfortunately, multiculturalism
muddles the practice of the criminal justice system as there is rarely a universal agreement upon
about what is right or wrong.
Additionally, agencies must alchemize a diverse workforce. There have been few studies
assessing the community perception of racially and ethnically diverse police forces. However,
when evaluating the aggregate data of the studies that have been conducted, minority residents in
communities with higher numbers of minority officers held more positive views of their local
police department compared to areas with low numbers of minority officers (Wang et al., 2019).
Why might this be? American society today is ethnically and racially quite diverse. The Census
Bureau says seventy-one percent of individuals report themselves as white; however, this number
has been steadily dropping over the last forty years (Schmalleger, 2020). Furthermore, the
Hispanic and African American communities each make up twelve percent (Schmalleger, 2020).
And, on top of that, the Hispanic population is the fastest growing group in the U.S.
(Schmalleger, 2020). It is certainly fair and understandable for communities to want to feel
represented. Community members may feel more emboldened knowing those who are protecting
them have similar views, life experiences, and values. Overall, a guiding principle in a
multicultural society is patience. “Love suffers long and his kind; love does not envy, love does
not parade itself, it is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not
provoked, thinks no evil” (New King James Version Bible, 1982, 1Corinthians 13:4-5). All
criminal justice practitioners must show patience to those they may not completely understand. It
can be mutually trying for civilians who are new to American culture and the American law
enforcement personnel serving these individuals to come to an informed, deep understanding of
the other as there are so many layers and facets to the involved backgrounds and cultures at play.
References
New King James Version Bible. (1982). Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Schmalleger, F. (2020). Criminal Justice Today (16th Edition). Pearson Education
(US). https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780135770702
Wang, X., Ready, J., & Davies, G. (2019). Race, ethnicity, and perceived minority police
presence: Examining perceptions of criminal injustice among Los Angeles residents. Law
& Society Review, 53(3), 706–739. https://doi.org/10.1111/lasr.12423
Wisdom,
Romans 2:11 (New King James Version Bible, 1982) states, “For there is no partiality with God.”
God is perfect in every way. We should strive to do everything in God’s image. Unfortunately, at
the end of the day, individuals will always have biases toward those they interact with; we are
not perfect. However, it is through knowing we will have unconscious biases and overcoming
those thoughts that we can circumvent the pitfalls obstructing us from replicating God image of
no partiality. Generally speaking, I believe the criminal justice field has well intentioned
individuals working to protect and serve their community. Unfortunately, these individuals have
developed a unique set of unconscious biases that trace back as far their early childhood days; if
unchecked, these biases crystalize as life progresses and individuals mature. For the criminal
justice system to positively approach a multicultural society, it must acknowledge tits members
biases and potentially implement trainings to help understand the extent and ramifications of
unconscious biases. Often society is looking at those who openly make discriminatory decisions;
however, we should refocus our attention to well-intentioned people who are unaware of the
unconscious factors that affect their decision-making (Akram, 2017).
You discussed diversity saying “Diversity can be explained as a mixture or having different
elements. In other words, when applied to people, diversity then includes the kinds of differences
that are reflected in multiple races, ethnicities, and cultures.” When trying to understand what
unconscious biases people may have, we may have to probe beyond the parameters of your
definition. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development explains diversity as
encompassing a range of similarities and differences between all people (U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, n.d.). Furthermore, they include not only races, ethnicities,
and cultures, but also national origin, language, color, disability, age, gender, gender identity,
sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and family structure (U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development, n.d.).
The possible differences between two given parties may prove vast, but the similarities are likely
as plentiful. For the justice system to truly embrace a society with lifestyle diversity, it must
understand what diversity is and what unconscious biases members may be holding against
certain individuals.
Akram, S. (2017). Representative bureaucracy and unconscious bias: Exploring the unconscious
dimension of active representation. Public Administration, 96(1), 119–133.
https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12376
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (n.d.). Diversity and inclusion definitions.
Retrieved May 15, 2022, from
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/administration/admabout/diversity_inclusion/defin
itions
New King James Version Bible. (1982). Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Elizabeth,
Your post is well stated. The U.S. government prides itself on being a democratic bureaucracy.
“Bureaucracies, to be democratic, must be representative of the groups they serve.” (Akram,
2017). You stated the U.S. has had a long history of placing an emphasis on white men in
positions of power; there are many assumptions and prejudices that are still lingering and must
be overcome. There is a necessity for diversity within the criminal justice system to ensure the
system is fair for all. Just as you explained diversity will start from within. The American justice
system has a long way to go but hiring women and minority officers is a great start. Romans 15:7
(New King James Version Bible, 1982) says, “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also
received us, to the glory of God.” When a community feels represented, there will be better
results because individuals will conceivably feel treated in a fairer fashion. This echoes your
assertion that when officers make an arrest there may be cultural or language barriers. If the
personnel within the justice system share the same values and speak the language of the people
they serve, then the relationship between the public and the system will enhance.
In addition, your thoughts on unconscious bias are spot on. Many may not know they are
engaging in discriminatory practices. However, it is up to every agency to know how to combat
this and educate their employees so they can better serve the public. America is a multicultural
society, and it is vital for all of our governmental services to understand how to operate within
this society.
