The Bar Will Not Be Lowered
"Even as Germany wrings its hands over the issue, a look beyond its borders shows that other countries seem to be miles ahead. Britain's Metropolitan Police has doubled the proportion of ethnic minority officers since 1998 -- they currently make up some 11 percent of the force -- and even Holland has considerably hiked the number in its police force. But experts caution that both have managed to do so by following an indirect policy of "positive discrimination" or affirmative action -- something that's taboo in Germany."
"Taboo"? How about completely incomprehensible? I really get the chuckles just thinking about Germans trying to come to grips with the concept of affirmative action. If you had to explain it, you'd find yourself stuck on the part where people who can't meet the qualifications to become a police officer are chosen nonetheless.
Hey, it's hard to be a German cop. The main requirement is: you have to be a martinet. So why, do you think, is the force mostly German? Plus, it sucks when they don't want you around the Turkish club anymore just because of your occupation. Though it is kind of natural that an immigrant community would be apprehensive of anyone affiliated with law enforcement.
The article makes an excellent point: because there's no quota, minorities who become police officers in Germany are perceived in the same light as every other police officer. Good or bad, no one could ever say that they got their job because of their race or nationality. And if you're a good cop, that's good, right?