Editorial: Diversity should be goal for police hiring

Adopted in 1973, the village of Oak Park's diversity statement is a testament to a community that makes diversity a priority in all that it does.

"We reject the notion of race as a barrier dividing us and we reject prejudicial behavior toward any group of people. ... The Village of Oak Park commits itself to a future ensuring equal access, full participation in all of the Village's institutions and programs, and equality of opportunity in all Village operating policies."

That's just a sample of the longer statement that strongly influences how the community deals with any issues that may come up. And it's no wonder, then, that Oak Park was named among the most racially balanced police departments in the nation in an Associated Press analysis of a 2007 study of American police forces by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Other suburban police departments don't fare as well in the analysis. In fact, Daily Herald staff writer Jake Griffin reported Monday that 16 of the largest police departments in the Northwest and West suburbs are overwhelmingly white, even in towns where the white population is a minority.

Some of the towns with the largest gaps between percentage of white officers to percentage of white residents are Carpentersville, Aurora, Wheeling and Addison.

Given the strife in Ferguson, Mo., in which a majority black population is protected by a nearly all-white police department, the lack of diversity can be a barrier to good relations between police and residents.

"It's important for a police department to relate to the community makeup as best as possible," said Schaumburg Police Chief Jim Lamkin, whose department is 94.7 percent white while white residents make up 65.9 percent.

Clearly, more diverse hiring is needed. But, Lamkin points out, and we agree, that it's likely not realistic to "completely mirror population."

Many factors can lead to an unbalanced force, including the difficulty in recruiting minority candidates. We recognize the challenge this can be. But though it is difficult, a relentless pursuit of success is essential.

Each community needs to assess how it is trying to attract minority candidates and make improving on those numbers a goal. Oak Park is a nearby model that has been successful - 64.9 percent white population, 69.4 percent white police force.

"I think diversity is very important and that the more diverse your workforce can be the better off you are," said Al Popp, director of public safety in Carpentersville.

With minorities expected to continue to increase in population in the suburbs, now is the time to put those words into action, just as Oak Park has done.