Turning goals into gains can be tricky, especially when the target is achieving a more diverse workforce. Just ask Police Chief Al Frederick of Windsor, Ontario.
"Our turnover is so small, it’s difficult to change our complexion overnight,” he tells Doug Schmidt of The Windsor Star, who writes about cadets sworn in this week -- three white men and two white women (above).
Windsor typically hires 10 constables (officers) a year, the chief says. In January 2015, it added five white men and one white woman, The Star notes.
“Why do five white kids get through and not anyone of another color?” asks Ward 2 City Councillor John Elliott.
“As someone who grew up black in Windsor, let’s see how they can relate to me.”
In 2012, Schmidt writes, the last workplace census showed that nearly 89 percent of Windsor officers were white. The chief , who says he doesn't know the current figure, "concedes that, while improving, it probably isn’t a lot different," according to Thursday's article.
Frederick made greater diversity on the force one of his goals when he became permanent chief in 2012. But one of the challenges remains getting interested candidates from Windsor’s minority communities. . . .
“Building trust is critical in some of these ethnic communities,” said Frederick.
-- Alan Stamm
This recruiting message at the Windsor Police Service's website reflects its challenge to diversify racially.
