Relations between minorities and police organizations have always been controversial in U.S. history. Edwards began his law enforcement career with the United States Park Police and retired from that force in 1984 holding the rank of major. ... and building personal relationships between police officers and residents. Such relationships can be harmonious, but they often are problematic. Across the United States, police commanders and community leaders have engaged in numerous meetings to help heal and strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and minorities. Blacks and whites agree that changes in policies and procedures could be effective in reducing tensions between minorities and police and in limiting violence against civilians. Ruptured relations between police and many of the communities they serve represents one of the greatest challenges facing contemporary American society. The Guardian - Back to home. More than a year after Michael Brown, a black man, was killed by a white police officer in Ferguson, Mo., the nation continues to grapple with issues … Although, all the fear and mistrust between the police and the minority population has not been eliminated, there is reason to believe in most parts of our country great improvement has occurred. Relationships between police and local communities are strained in many parts of … More than a year after Michael Brown, a black man, was killed by a white police officer in Ferguson, Mo., the nation continues to grapple with issues of racial tension between police … Minorities are more concerned about crime and more skeptical about law enforcement’s efforts to control it. ... Police officers are in … updated 4:35 PM EDT, Wed August 13, 2014. Much of the research that has been done on the relationship between the police and the minority neighborhoods was done more than 10 years ago. Black And Blue: Police And Minorities The arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., revived the ongoing discussion about tensions between police … Here are a number of examples from each area: Police Influence on Society Police Influence on Society 1 The relationship between police and minority societies has always been a difficult one with many issues. Although these efforts have made positive gains, it is the front line patrol officer and supervisor who are at the greatest risk of a hostile encounter. Accusations of police brutality and harassment were recurrent. Minorities frequently report that the police disproportionately single them out because of their race or ethnicity. By citiesspeak in General on November 20, 2016 November 21, 2016. Building Trust Between Police and the Communities They Serve. POLICE, POLITICS, AND CULTURE between minorities and the police. After the Ferguson riots, President Obama said, “In too many communities around the country, a gulf of mistrust exits between local residents and law enforcement.” In searching for recent articles concerning minorities perception of the police I found this interesting 2005 article. Municipal leaders can choose what kind of policing they will seek to provide to their constituents. This is a guest post by Jack Calhoun. To bridge this gulf, the Vera Institute of Justice seeks to advance alternatives to enforcement that … Much of the research that has been done on the relationship between the police and the minority neighborhoods was done more than 10 years ago. STORY HIGHLIGHTS. Although these efforts have made positive gains, it is the front line patrol officer and supervisor who are at the greatest risk of a hostile encounter. Many consider slave patrols prior to the American Civil War as … He subsequently served as commander of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police from 1985 until 1991 when he was appointed chief of police … Building Trust Between Police and the Communities They Serve. Black And Blue: Police And Minorities The arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., revived the ongoing discussion about tensions between … ... We must fix disconnect between police, black communities ... "We established a culture from very early on … Across the United States, police commanders and community leaders have engaged in numerous meetings to help heal and strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and minorities. Police officers face many obstacles in policing underclass minority neighborhoods because criminals and innocent citizens may share the same socio-economic characteristics.6 This, in turn, increases complaints from minority groups regarding racial profiling by the police.7 For example, minorities may be generally deprived of police protection and other services to which they are entitled. The public's perceptions about the lawfulness and legitimacy of law enforcement are an important criterion for judging policing in a democratic society. Before the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s African Americans were treated brutally by the police in the United States. Although, all the fear and mistrust between the police and the minority population has not been eliminated, there is reason to believe in most parts of our country great improvement has occurred.