Communicating With Diverse Populations

In order to work with diverse populations, police professionals must be aware of areas of concern that are specific to the populations they serve. Police professionals also must consider and adopt an appropriate style of interaction for each population. Those who do acquire the necessary skills specific to working with a particular population may find themselves more sensitive to the needs of the population, which may, as a result, improve community relationships. Forensic psychology professionals are instrumental in teaching these interactional skills to police professionals.

An examination of Boro Park, a small community in Brooklyn, New York, illustrates this point (Heilman, 2003). A small group of Hasidic Jews lives in this community. On Saturdays, the Hasidim do not work or drive their cars. Men are not allowed to be touched in any way by women who are not their wives, and all members eat only specially prepared foods. There are other religious laws that the Hasidim adhere to as well. If the police do not respect these values, there can be unrest and law enforcement difficulties. As a result, the New York Police Department (NYPD) has sanctioned a specific group, composed of members of this Jewish community, to handle emergencies in Boro Park. This special group responds to emergency calls and assists the NYPD in addressing certain investigations. Because of police professionals’ understanding and working with this particular group, the relationship between law enforcement and the community is a good one, members of the community cooperate with police professionals, and law enforcement problems have been reduced.

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