Evaluation of the culturally and linguistically diverse recruit preparation program within the Queensland police service

Evaluation of the culturally and linguistically diverse recruit preparation program within the Queensland police service

The focus of this study is an evaluation of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Recruit Preparation Program (CALD RPP) which is a diversity initiative implemented by the Queensland Police Service (QPS). The CALD RPP was established to overcome barriers to recruitment for ethnic minority police recruit applicants and increase workforce diversity within the QPS with a view to building cultural capability and trust between QPS and the multicultural community of Queensland. Prior to this study it had not been subject to evaluation. The research design was drawn from Queensland Government Program Evaluation Guidelines with a focus on outcomes. A non-experimental design using qualitative data collection methods was used with semi-structured interviews undertaken with four QPS decision-makers to seek strategic objectives for the program. Semi-structured interviews with 10 ex-CALD RPP participants were conducted to elicit lived experiences and impacts of the program on participants. The data gathered identified a lack of clear articulation and communication of program intent and objective from executive level decision-makers which ultimately led to broad eligibility criteria and unclear merit standards for the selection of program participants. This resulted in appointment of recruits to a diversity initiative that was not specifically targeted to them. Perceived quota-driven, tokenistic selection standards led to participants questioning the legitimacy of the program. Key theoretical concepts of Representational Bureaucracy, Affirmative Action and Kanter's Theory of Tokenism are drawn upon to explain the findings and provide recommendations for improvements to the CALD RPP and future diversity initiatives for the QPS and other law enforcement agencies.

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