4.5: Americans of Middle Eastern / Indian decent

There is no better application of the principles of good policing than in the post-September 11 environment. In the face of the dramatic terrorist attacks against the United States, the vast majority of America's communities responded with restraint, tolerance, and good will. At the forefront of these efforts have been police chiefs and other law enforcement executives, who captured the spirit of police-community cooperation. This has been no small challenge, given the divisions, fears, and other internal stresses which arose during this unprecedented emergency.

Police chiefs and other local officials recognized that this was a time for police-community cooperation and collaboration, a time to minimize any divisions and distractions from the common national priority of combating terrorism. Homeland security requires communities of cooperation and citizens of goodwill. A climate of personal safety and protection requires increased trust of governmental institutions and agencies, especially law enforcement. Important information is more likely to be volunteered to authorities. Suspicious and unusual activity will be reported, and investigations can proceed. Further, public trust and confidence reduce community tensions, especially between groups that may feel unprotected and suspected by government institutions.

The aftermath of September 11, 2001 became an opportunity for police departments to deepen their relationships with Arab-American, Sikh, and Muslim communities. While these communities were fairly well established, there had been little occasion for outreach and educational activities before September 11. Since September 11, 2001, public forums, dialogues, and other events designed to build bridges between police departments and these communities have taken place.

What were some of the elements which helped to create the positive relations, especially between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve?

Tone-setting messages by public officials ranging from the Nation's highest public officials to town mayors and police chiefs helped to create an atmosphere of moderation and restraint. Their public cautions against misdirected behavior towards fellow citizens and pledges to vigorously prosecute of any attacks against individuals or groups went a long way towards establishing expectations of fairness and justice.

Prompt and sensitive attention by government and law enforcement officials to racial and ethnic attacks and incidents helped to create trust and confidence in public officials and institutions. When incidents and hate crimes were reported, most law enforcement agencies reacted with dispatch, sensitivity, and thoroughness.

Improved cooperation and coordination among Federal, regional, and local policing and other law enforcement agencies helped bridge jurisdictional tensions and prevent conflicts. Since September 11, investigative agencies have enjoyed unparalleled cooperation, combining resources and experience in their investigative and prosecutorial efforts.

Intensive training by police and government agencies in Arab, Muslim, and Sikh issues helped to head off cross-cultural conflicts, misunderstandings, and tensions. Law enforcement agencies recognized that they needed to deepen their understanding of these cultures, and many secured trainings to help officers to be sensitive to the particular cross-cultural dimensions of police work.

Outreach by police departments to Arab-American, Muslim, and Sikh communities provided police and leaders from these communities an opportunity to develop cooperative working relationships. Effective policing involved deliberate efforts by police chiefs to extend their connections to these communities by visits, calls, and public forums to listen, learn of concerns, and reassure members of these communities that their concerns.