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Reducing Ethnic Profiling in the European Union - Open Society ...

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NETHERLANDSRole of National Diversity Unit <strong>in</strong> a Decentralized Polic<strong>in</strong>g SystemThe Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands’ National Diversity Expertise Centre (LECD) is mandated to workwith all law enforcement services, but <strong>in</strong> practice has largely worked with police. It hasa staff of fifteen, one of whom addresses discrim<strong>in</strong>ation. It has a task force on “policedilemmas” that <strong>in</strong>cludes ethnic profil<strong>in</strong>g, Muslims, and racist attitudes. The LECDadvises <strong>the</strong> M<strong>in</strong>istry of <strong>the</strong> Interior and law enforcement agencies on work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>multi-ethnic environments, promotes diversity with<strong>in</strong> agencies, advises and supportsagencies <strong>in</strong> address<strong>in</strong>g discrim<strong>in</strong>ation, and provides expertise when public securityproblems arise <strong>in</strong> multi-ethnic areas. It is not a permanent <strong>in</strong>stitution but a moreshort-term <strong>in</strong>itiative that is approved to work through 2014.IRELANDGarda Racial and Intercultural UnitThe Garda Racial and Intercultural Unit (GRIU) has a broad mandate—to coord<strong>in</strong>ate,monitor and advise on all aspects of polic<strong>in</strong>g ethnic and cultural diversity—and astaff of two. The GRIU has conducted extensive outreach to ethnic m<strong>in</strong>orities to buildcommunication; it also holds an annual meet<strong>in</strong>g with ethnic m<strong>in</strong>ority communities.Grassroots level outreach is conducted through “ethnic liaison officers” or ELOswho are local officers (“Gardai”) charged with build<strong>in</strong>g relations with diverse ethniccommunities locally <strong>in</strong> addition to <strong>the</strong>ir o<strong>the</strong>r duties. This approach encountered<strong>in</strong>itial problems when Gardai hold<strong>in</strong>g immigration functions were assigned to workas ELOs; <strong>the</strong> policy was ended. In practice, <strong>the</strong> effectiveness of ELOs reflects <strong>the</strong>efforts of <strong>in</strong>dividual officers. In mid-2008 <strong>the</strong>re were approximately 550 ELOs, and <strong>the</strong>number was set to <strong>in</strong>crease, although <strong>the</strong> ability of <strong>the</strong> GRIU to support an <strong>in</strong>creasednumber of ELOs is <strong>in</strong> question, given its small staff.The work of GRIU faces challenges. Independent sources stated that officer awarenessof <strong>the</strong> unit may be limited, and that greater leadership and resources are neededto re<strong>in</strong>force and ma<strong>in</strong>stream its values throughout <strong>the</strong> Garda.144 CHANGING INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE

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