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RUNNING HEAD: PROJECT THREE 1
8-1 Project Three
Taylor Heger
CJ-120 Cultural Awareness in Criminal Justice
Southern New Hampshire University
04/24/2022
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To: Civilian Office of Accountability
Subject: Better together
Good evening,
I would like to start by giving thanks for entrusting me with a second opportunity to aid in
making a difference toward such an honorable cause. As a nonprofit administrator, I have
witnessed first-hand the injustices imposed upon cultural minorities in the Cincinnati area, due
to lack of cultural competence among police departments. I have attached an outline of
community concerns and possible resolutions to improve police-community relationships. If
additional information is needed, please do not hesitate to contact me via the number listed
below. I look forward to your response.
Kind Regards,
Taylor Heger
Non-Profit Administrator
555-123-4567
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Attachment:
Views Of Criminal Justice Professionals
Cincinnati is one the three largest cities in the state of Ohio. Less than half of that
population is white, yet 16% of officers are black, 32% are non-whites, and 26% are
Hispanic.
People of Color:
There are evident racial disparities in traffic stops and arrests between people of color and
other races in our city. Blacks currently make up 76% of arrests, compared to 22% of
whites. Furthermore, between 2012-2017 52% of vehicle and pedestrian stops included
people of color.
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Subculture:
A subculture is an extension of the
parent culture. The subculture
individualizes itself from the
dominant culture, while still
maintaining some of the originating
fundamentals.
Culture:
Culture has been known to be
called the way of life for a unified
society. Cultural characteristics
include language, religion,
mannerisms, dress, and beliefs that
have been passed down from
generation to generation
What is racial disparity?
Racial disparities refer to the inequalities among treatment of contrasting racial
groups and may or may not be associated with intolerance.
Approximately half of people of color have little to no faith in the criminal justice
system. This belief has only been heightened in recent years due to the rise in police-
involved shootings of black people.
Hispanic Communities
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Hispanic immigrant numbers have been on the rise in Cincinnati. With this increase,
Hispanics feel targeted because of language barriers- making it difficult for them to
report crimes, regardless of the cruelty of the crime.
Distress of extradition has been a long-time driving factor of Hispanics perception of
police and the courts.
Undocumented People
In the state of Ohio there are five top countries that account for undocumented people:
Mexico, India, Guatemala, China/Hong Kong, and El Salvador. 32% of that population
do not speak English well, or none. Those that are not proficient in English tend to go to
great lengths to avert interactions with law enforcement.
Expanded crisis in immigration prosecution has created an already dwindling
apprehension of law enforcement by uncounted individuals. Their fear is that if they
provide information to police, it will warrant interest from police officers to check their
immigration status.
“70% of undocumented immigrants reported they are less likely to contact law
enforcement authorities if they were victims of a crime.” (Theodore, 2013)
Cultural Misunderstandings
Language
Migration of immigrants to the city of Cincinnati dates to the mid-19
th
century. In
addition to bringing over unfamiliar cultures and foods, these newcomers have brought
over their native tongue.
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Differences in language are law enforcements primary confrontation in serving the
Hispanic community.
Religion/ Beliefs
Many law enforcement agencies lack knowledge of religious minorities. In turn, this
shortcoming can prompt officers to make discriminatory conjectures toward opposing
faiths.
Illiteracy
Having low literacy can cause problems for not only law enforcement, but for the
suspects/offenders and victims/witnesses.
How low literacy affects suspects and offenders:
Precisely alter end result of case.
Possibility of re-arrest (if offender does not understand the conditions of
probation or parole)
How low literacy affects witnesses and victims:
Hesitation to call police, due to being terrified at the thought of having to
testify in court.
A guilty person may walk free if a witness is unable to answer questions
clearly.
Deafness
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Hardly ever do police show up to a scene with an ASL interpreter. For those whose
primary or only language is American Sign Language, they are immediately at a
disadvantage when encountering law enforcement. “The ADA requires that . . .
Law enforcement agencies must provide the communication aids and services needed to
communicate effectively with people who are deaf or hard of hearing, except when a
particular aid or service would result in an undue burden or a fundamental change in the
nature of the law enforcement services being provided.
Agencies must give primary consideration to providing the aid or service requested by
the person with the hearing disability.
Agencies cannot charge the person for the communication aids or services provided.
Agencies do not have to provide personally prescribed devices such as hearing aids.
When interpreters are needed, agencies must provide interpreters who can interpret
effectively, accurately, and impartially.
Only the head of the agency or his or her designee can make the determination that a
particular aid or service would cause an undue burden or a fundamental change in the
nature of the law enforcement services being provided.” (COMMUNICATING with
PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF or HARD of HEARING: ADA GUIDE FOR LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, 2019)
Professional Practices
Understanding the public: Being evident in their neighborhoods and conscious of their
locals is a meaningful professional practice of law enforcement officials. Neighborhood
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events and community functions are a great way for police departments to interact with
citizens on an informal level.
Diversity training: Several police department agencies feel necessity for diversity
training on some parallel. Cultural diversity training was first implemented in the 1960’s.
Police departments today continue to promote officers to cultivate in cultural awareness
and communication.
Procedural justice: Procedural justice is a professional practice that focuses on the
integrity of actions used by those in positions of authority, such as law enforcement
officers. “Procedural justice is based on four central principles: treating people with
dignity and respect, giving citizens ‘voice’ during encounters, being neutral in decision
making, and conveying trustworthy motives.” (Procedural Justice, n.d.)
Police legitimacy: To achieve police legitimacy there is three main components law
enforcement should keep in mind including: trust and confidence in the police from the
public, the willingness of the community to accept police authority, and showing
residents that the actions of the police are reserved and morally compelling. Police being
involved in at-risk programs for the youth is one way law enforcement agencies can
contribute to lowering present and future crimes.
Diverse hiring processes: To achieve police legitimacy there is three main components
law enforcement should keep in mind including: trust and confidence in the police from
the public, the willingness of the community to accept police authority, and showing
residents that the actions of the police are reserved and morally compelling. Police being
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involved in at-risk programs for the youth is one way law enforcement agencies can
contribute to lowering present and future crimes.
Building Trust Within Cultural Communities
Creating an understanding of the public- Several police departments facilitate
community meetings where residents have the opportunity to bring neighborhood
concerns to the attention of law enforcement officials. In return, officers and their citizens
collaborate to come up with possible resolutions to community issues.
Transparency- Without the backing and responsiveness of the community, law
enforcement has a difficult time fulfilling their duty to protect and serve. So how do
police officers gain support and cooperation from the public? This can be achieved by
being transparent and openly communicate to their citizens of their crime-fighting efforts.
Accountability- Lack of accountability by police departments when accused of
misconduct has only further caused mistrust of the police by the community. Publicly
addressing instances of misconduct among their department assures citizens that they are
being taken seriously and that those who choose not to follow department policies will
not be tolerated.
Positive community interactions- Engaging in neighborhood events and community
functions is a great strategy for law enforcement to interact with its people on an informal
level. Most only have an interaction with police in times of tragedy or a traffic stop.
Attending special events in the neighborhood allows for the public to see officers as
members of the community.
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Visibility- Maintaining a highly visible police presence helps reassure citizens that they
are safe, thus reducing fear of crime. The sheer existence of an officer in a busy area can
be enough to deter a wrongdoer from committing a crime.
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REFERENCES
COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING: ADA GUIDE
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. (2019). Ada.gov.
https://www.ada.gov/lawenfcomm.htm
Literacy and the Police - Literacy Fact Sheets. (n.d.). Policeabc.ca. http://policeabc.ca/literacy-
fact-sheets/Page-4.html
Theodore, N. (2013).IInsecure Communities: Latino Perceptions of Police Involvement in
Immigration Enforcement.
https://www.policylink.org/sites/default/files/INSECURE_COMMUNITIES_REPORT_
FINAL.PDF
Profile of the Unauthorized Population - OH. (n.d.). Migrationpolicy.org.
https://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/unauthorized-immigrant-population/state/OH
Cincinnati police officers learning Spanish to adapt to changing community. (2019, February
27). WCPO.
https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/cincinnati-police-
officers-learning-spanish-to-adapt-to-changing-community
Santhanam, L. (2020, June 5).ITwo-thirds of black Americans don’t trust the police to treat them
equally. Most white Americans do.IPBS NewsHour.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/two-thirds-of-black-americans-dont-trust-the-
police-to-treat-them-equally-most-white-americans-do
Racial Divide in Attitudes Towards the Police. (2014). The Opportunity Agenda.
https://www.opportunityagenda.org/explore/resources-publications/new-sensibility/part-
iv
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board, E. editorial. (n.d.).IEditorial: Racial disparities in police stops demands attention. The
Enquirer. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/2019/12/20/editorial-racial-
disparities-police-stops-demands-attention/2666685001/
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