Police sergeants supervised other white men, like themselves, who came primarily from the working class. With an increased emphasis on recruiting, hiring, and nurturing nontraditional employees, first-line supervisors are more likely than ever to have supervisory responsibility for African-Americans, Hispanics, and women. The Constitution became little more than an abstract statement of human values unrelated to the treatment of racial minorities and women. While the number of women and other minorities employed in state and local government increased, there really was no dramatic shift in the makeup of the public service. The phrase protected class has a special meaning when it comes to supervising employees who belong to certain minority groups. Sexual harassment in the workplace is a major problem facing both public and private sector employers in the United States. The empowerment of police personnel is essential if governments are to attract, field, and retain college-educated officers.