Police chiefs instruct officers to be sensitive towards ethnic groups
Policemen should develop more understanding for ethnic groups. Otherwise society is in danger of breaking down, the Council of Police Chiefs writes in a memo entitled ‘Politie voor een ieder’ (Police for everyone).
Policemen should pay more attention to the sensitivities of different population groups. Police forces that do not invest in this may be faced with “unpleasant surprises”.
A spokesman for the Council of Police Chiefs confirmed the existence of the internal vision, which landed up in the possession of regional newspaper group GPD. The Council presses for “multicultural professionalism”, the spokesman explained.
Policemen should develop more knowledge and understanding of ethnic groups. “This does not mean cultural relativism. We are not moving completely to the other side; the law remains the law.”
In several forces, policemen are already trained to interact better with ethnic groups. This involves aspects such as male-female relations, family honour and other sensitive issues, but also the prevention of group riots. “Developments take place quickly, as a result of text messages, internet and mass media. Riots can break out suddenly and unexpectedly,” the document states.
Source: NIS News, 22 March 2008
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