Author: Dr Dallas D Owens
Five aspects of minority community engagement in national security issues were examined: two concerned engagement in specific minority communities (Muslim and Latino), one a “field” of engagement (public health), one a traditional type of engagement (military service), and one a prerequisite for successful community engagement (effective leadership). The five aspects included (1) dynamics of engaging the growing Latino community, with emphasis on police department best practices to include Latino concerns and participation in community security; (2) participation of the Muslim community in planning for and response to natural disasters and terrorism threats; (3) providing public health services to all at-risk communities, which are often minority or those with significant minority populations; (4) the relationship between the military and its minority officers; and (5) aspects of service and leadership in minority communities.