Policing Diverse Communities: Do Gender and Minority Status Make a Difference?

Using data from the Impact of Community Policing Training and Program Implementation on Police Personnel in Arizona, 1995–1998 (N = 1,449), this study looks at gender and ethnicity differences in orientations toward nontraditional policing styles and self-assessment of ability to police diverse communities. We hypothesized that minority and female officers would be more open to nontraditional (community-oriented policing and problem-solving policing) policing styles and rate themselves as better able to police diverse communities. Preliminary data suggest that minority males are most likely to adapt to community policing and best able to interact with diverse cultural groups. However, White female officers appear best able to assess the policing needs of diverse communities. Programming and training implications are also addressed.