Ethnicity and Cultural Freedom in Policing

Ethnicity, Cultural Diversity and the Freedom to bring and be  who you are to Policing.   Cities and Police Departments enjoy touting their racial demographics in terms of “cultural diversity and Fairness”. “We have this many Asians, Hispanics, American Indians, African Americans and Anglo-Americans, etc”.  Looks good on paper, but the question has to be asked.  How many of them are allowed to be WHO they are at work?  Can the Asian, Hispanic, American Indian or African American Officer be who he or she is in the workplace and on the street?  Are they forced by Department or City Policy or unwritten Department practices commonly known as "The Blue Wall" to be a Blue- Tan, Blue- Brown or Blue- Asian representative of a blue line that’s defined and operates on a standard within the law based on a European concept of Law Enforcements and how it should be performed?  Is this concept working in minority communities?  What about the citizens that see someone in uniform that looks like them but sounds and acts like a total stranger?  Ever thought about it?  Well this Saturday we’re going to talk about it on Behind the Blue Curtain.  All questions, comments and concerns are welcomed.  I do not speak for the City of Waco, the Waco Police Department, the Officers, Civilian Employees or Citizens of Waco.  My opinions are based on my personal and professional experiences.