What percentage of full-time sworn local police personnel are racial and ethnic minorities?

• A. 27 percent
• B. 15 percent
• C. 40 percent
• D. 33 percent

Answer: (A)

Diversity in the police workforce is about how many sworn officers come from racial and ethnic minority groups. National data show that minorities make up roughly 27 percent of full-time sworn local police personnel. This figure reflects ongoing diversification across departments but also the fact that representation is not yet equal to the general population. The value sits between underrepresentation (like 15 percent) and a majority presence (like 40 percent or 33 percent) and is commonly used as the benchmark for nationwide diversification. Minorities include all non-white groups such as Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American/Alaska Native officers, among others.