http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... rsity.html

Tempe diversity survey identifies police problems

Katie Nelson
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 18, 2005 12:00 AM

TEMPE - The "Good Old Boy" network is alive and well in the city's Police Department, according to a diversity survey presented this week to the City Council.

But although some say the survey sheds light on a rift in the department between sworn officers and civilian employees, department leaders say it is a skewed version of reality.

Tempe's Diversity Committee conducted the survey of about 60 city employees this fall using anonymous focus groups. advertisement

The committee aimed to assess how well the city is addressing racism and intolerance in light of problems alleged in recent years.

The majority of responses were positive, said Christy Slover, chairwoman of the focus group task force and a Municipal Court Services supervisor.

Participants cited the emphasis on diversity training, multicultural events and the creation of the Diversity Office and Multicultural Task Force as ways the city has fostered communication and tolerance.

Yet participants also identified almost as many disconcerting issues, specifically singling out the Police Department as having problems.

The city's internal recruitment works against creating a diverse workforce, the participants said, according to the report.

Others said Human Resources isn't perceived as a "safe haven" for employee concerns and isn't easily accessible, as the city has indicated it should be.

And within the Police Department, some civilian employees perceive a double standard between sworn members of the force and civilian support staff, the report said.

"They cited perceptions, and this came from civilians, they were treated as a subclass," Slover said.

"Most examples were based on interactions: being supervised differently, or perhaps their concerns and issues were taken more lightly by not being given as much credence."

Police Chief Ralph Tranter emphatically denied any preferential treatment of sworn employees over civilian staffers.

However, he pointed out that police officers are in exceptionally high demand because of a national shortage.

The city has been accused in the past of discrimination after a racial bias scandal broke in the city's Public Works department about six years ago.

The accusations eventually led to a lawsuit currently being heard in federal court.