Recruiters say they have to overcome negative stereotypes of police officers and marginal pay for their high-risk jobs to recruit more minorities into law enforcement.

        Several police officers, who were among recruiters from 38 law enforcement agencies from across the nation, expressed those concerns during a job fair Wednesday, held in conjunction with the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice convention in downtown Cincinnati.

College student Madinah Hamidullah shakes hands with Officer Tony Sydnor of the Alexandria (Va.) Police Department on Wednesday at the career expo. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        They said under-representation by minority groups is a problem in most police departments nationwide, including in Cincinnati, where about 28 percent of the police division is black, while the city is 43 percent African-American.

        A more inclusive police force has been one of the demands of protesters in Cincinnati who have decried the police shooting of an unarmed black man who was fleeing police in April.

        But, the recruiters said, the only way to increase the numbers of minorities on the police force is for more minorities to pursue careers in law enforcement.

        “If you want to do something to make a change, you have to get involved,” said Reginald Staples, a Cincinnati police officer and recruiter.

        Derrick Edwards, 25, of Kennedy Heights, who visited the Cincinnati Police Division's booth at the job fair Wednesday afternoon, agreed.

        “A lot of people sit around and complain, but if you really want crime to stop in your community, you have to get out and do something,” Mr. Edwards said.

        Officer Staples described all police officers as “recruiters” who have a responsibility to treat people, especially in minority communities, with respect and dignity if they hope to encourage those people to join their ranks.

        “How you treat people will determine how they view you,” Officer Staples said. “When I was growing up in Winton Terrace, a lot of times, the police sent the wrong message.”

        Trooper Sharon Hunt of the Pennsylvania State Police said overcoming negative stereotypes is an uphill battle for most police recruiters.

        “We're constantly fighting the image of police officers,” Trooper Hunt said. “But that's why we're here (in Cincinnati) and going to other states. We're growing and trying to become more diverse in Pennsylvania because the communities are growing and becoming more diverse.”

Mom in coma for months gives birth
Task force hits the streets
Luken and Lynch joust over 'legitimate force'
Toll mounts in violence
Driver held after cruiser hit
Election spending on ballot
Ex-coach gets jail in stalking
Heimlich criticized by black groups
Museum to discuss slave jail research
Olympics inspectors fan out
Police at expo seek diversity in ranks
Tristate A.M. Report
PULFER: Who and why?
Mason High color scheme: green, white, with accents
Couple accused of raping daughter
Justice troubled by rulings on government immunity
New prosecutor in murder case
Captain says he didn't see boat his barge hit
Deadly driver makes no apology
Kentucky News Briefs
Ky. to restore burial grounds
Labor courts Lucas on 'fast-track' bill
OxyContin gets top warning
Police get two breaks in slaying
Road rough, project smooth