By Black Star News
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
The Los Angeles Police Department is reportedly having trouble recruiting Black people–and some worry that Trump’s anti-DEI stance will make it much harder, along with existing systemic racism.
The LAPD’s recruitment of Blacks, particularly women, has seen a steady drop for years. And now, with Donald Trump in the White House, the LAPD’s minority recruitment may become all but extinct.
The percentage of Black officers in LAPD is now at 8 percent, below the percentage of Blacks in Los Angeles. The LAPD’s DEI program was also shut down quietly earlier this year.
The Oscar Joel Bryant Foundation, which represents African American police officers in the LAPD, says conversations regarding attacks on DEI programs need to be had now.
Capt. Shannon Enox-White, the president of the Oscar Joel Bryant Foundation, says “[T]hose concerns are here today for all groups. When we swore an oath to protect the Constitution and the organization’s very mission statement elevates DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) principles, I do not see how we can step away from them now or ever.”
Some say another reason for the drop in Black recruitment is: the lack of support Black officers receive from the LAPD. They say the internal mistreatment, and racism, remains a major problem within the LAPD. Over the last ten years, 10 million in settlements were paid out to officers because of racial discrimination claims.
Unfortunately, there is still strong resistance, by white officers, toward employing more Black officers. And with Trump in the White House it will be even harder to hire more Blacks on the LAPD.
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