Police and Diversity
| Author | Evangelos Stergioulis |
| Published date | 01 September 2018 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X17721136 |
| Date | 01 September 2018 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
Police and Diversity
Dr Evangelos Stergioulis
Lecturer in Police Studies, Cyprus Open University, Latsia, Cyprus
Abstract
The geopolitical changes that followed the end of Cold War have led to extensive
political and social restructuring of European societies. The new social and cultural
elements nowadays are highlighting a rich diversity of human characteristics whose
protection and respect constitute a fundamental value of democracy. The police have
faced one of their greatest challenges in their efforts to integrate diversity as a key
component of the police work. The principles of diversity and equality are key pillars of
the police mission. Therefore, police practice, protection and acceptance – not toler-
ance – of diversity contribute decisively to strengthening public confidence in the police
and, consequently, enhance the social acceptance and support of police work.
Keywords
Police, diversity, human, rights, equality
Introduction
In recent years and especially from the 1990s onwards, the police have faced a number of
complex challenges due to effects of globalisation in all areas of socialand political life in
every country.Social and geopoliticalchanges that followed theend of the Cold War along
with a seriesof regional conflictsand social and politicalunrest have gradually ledto a wide
rangeof political and socialrestructuring. As a result,the compositionof European societies
nowadays is radically different fromthe traditional post-war societies.The main feature of
the current composition and configuration of Western societies at the beginning of 21st
century is diversity, which has varioushistorical, social, political and culturalimplications.
In the European Union (EU), diversity is considered both as a fundamental principle
and as a driving force towards European integration. It therefore refers to all conscious
Corresponding author:
Dr Evangelos Stergioulis, Lecturer in Police Studies, Cyprus Open University, Ret. Pol. Major General of
Hellenic Police, Latsia 2220, Cyprus.
Email: evaste@hotmail.com
The Police Journal:
Theory, Practice and Principles
2018, Vol. 91(3) 264–274
ªThe Author(s) 2017
Article reuse guidelines:
sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/0032258X17721136
journals.sagepub.com/home/pjx
To continue reading
Request your trial