Which term refers to variation in the racial, ethnic, and gender makeup across different police departments?

• A. Double Marginality
• B. Diversity
• C. Empirical Evidence
• D. Representative Bureaucracy

Answer: (B)

Diversity describes variation in the racial, ethnic, and gender makeup across different police departments. It captures how some departments are more or less diverse than others, reflecting differences that can arise from location, hiring practices, and organizational history. Recognizing this variation matters because a diverse workforce can influence how policing is experienced by the community, shaping legitimacy, trust, and the range of perspectives in decision-making.

Other terms describe different ideas. Double Marginality focuses on the challenges minority officers face within both their communities and the police organization. Empirical Evidence is about the data and observations used to support research claims. Representative Bureaucracy is the idea that a bureaucracy should mirror the population it serves to improve policy relevance and fairness, but the phrasing of variation across departments aligns most directly with diversity.