Discrimination refers to a situation where a person or group cannot enjoy legal or human rights equally due to unjustified distinctions emanating from treatment, policy, or the law. There are two types of discrimination, direct and indirect. Direct discrimination involves the explicit difference between two groups of people where one becomes less able than the other to exercise their rights indirect discrimination occurs when a law, practice, or policy serves in a neutral term but disproportionately disadvantages a particular group. This paper explores the ways that law agencies and the public can curb discrimination against minorities particularly in the recruitment, hiring, retention and public service aspects.
Law Enforcement Agencies
Law enforcement agencies can curb discrimination against minorities by proactively enhancing diversity in recruitment, hiring, and retention. In recruitment, the agencies can proactively invest in community outreach efforts to encourage diverse populations to consider law enforcement careers (Bulman, 2019). They can also partner with educational institutions and provide internship programs to young people, creating a robust pipeline of potential applicants. In advancement, the aspect should address the negative historical experiences that the minority groups had due to law enforcement.
In the hiring process, law enforcement agencies should reconsider the selection criteria and physical examination that disproportionately screen people out because they come from underrepresented communities. The agencies are increasingly implementing the holistic view of diverse applicants’ strengths and skills to law enforcement (Bulman, 2019). Also, law enforcement agencies can curb discrimination against the minority by enhancing transparency and selection procedures in hiring.
Lastly, the law enforcement agencies should focus on retaining a diverse population in employment by investing in leadership training and mentorship programs that support and guide new officers, particularly those from underrepresented groups. Additionally, law enforcement can retain officers from minority groups by understanding their unique challenges through stakeholder engagement and community partnerships. Also, providing financial bonuses and temporary housing enhances the retention of officers with diverse backgrounds and experiences. When the law enforcement sector comprises officers from diverse populations, it becomes easier to eliminate discrimination against the minority.
The Public
The public sector generally covers the society under the public service provision and employment. The public can curb discrimination against the minority by engaging in service delivery reforms. One of the reform adoptions uses affirmative action while addressing the vices that contribute to discrimination, such as the opportunity gap, inequality, and wealth (Bleich et al., 2019). Another provision is introducing blind tests to examine the students and civil service in recruitment positions to eliminate bias grading. The advancement will accommodate the minority groups in the schools and job opportunities equal to the majority.
Thirdly, the public can advocate the computer-based and artificial intelligence analysis of people’s applications under various instances such as job opportunities or benefits. The provisions are more likely to generate the services in a non-biased manner (Bleich et al., 2019). Curbing discrimination against minority groups requires society to uphold integrity through interaction with diverse populations. It should prioritize equality measures that limit any form of discrimination against the minority.
In conclusion, discrimination against the minority may cover denial of equal rights limiting access to essential opportunities. The law enforcement agencies can proactively fight against discrimination of the minority by implementing diversity in the recruitment, hiring, and retention of employees. Progressively, the public can curb discrimination against the minority through employment and service delivery by advocating for inclusivity reforms. The initiatives ensure that the disproportionately disadvantaged people access equal treatment in all life aspects such as law enforcement, admission to schools and employment.
References
Bleich, S. N., Findling, M. G., Casey, L. S., Blendon, R. J., Benson, J. M., SteelFisher, G. K., Sayde, J. M., & Miller, C. (2019). Discrimination in the United States: Experiences of black Americans. Health Services Research, 54, 1399-1408. Web.
Bulman, G. (2019). Law enforcement leaders and the racial composition of arrests. Economic Inquiry, 57(4), 1842-1858. Web.