ABSTRACT
Police departments were made up almost exclusively of politically conservative white males, primarily from the working class with a high school education and perhaps some military experience. It is crucial for departments to hire women and minorities in order to police their communities effectively. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination based on national origin, ethnic group, sex, creed, age or race. Title VII of the Act prohibits employers and unions from discriminating against employees in fifteen areas. The Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 extended coverage of Title VII to all state and local governments with more than fifteen employees and gave the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) more authority to formulate policies, procedures, rules and regulations designed to ensure compliance with the law. The success or failure of empowerment depends on the commitment and human skills possessed by those seeking to implement it. Increased employee participation and effective delegation benefit the community, the first-line supervisors and employees.
