Between H Street, P Street, L Street, Stine, and Sterling Road in Bakersfield, California, there are a cluster of Sikh temples, many of them impressive with gold and ivory domes, reminiscent of architecture from India. These temples represent the 35,000 Sikh and Punjabi residents who call this city home.

For years, Bakersfield police officers have stepped into this part of town with the understanding that language and cultural barriers may pose a challenge. They are often fortunate enough to get assistance from a neighborhood Good Samaritan to help with translation before they call into dispatch to connect with a third-party translation center.

As police officers, they always seek ways to connect with residents. In Bakersfield, being the ninth largest city in California, with a population of about 400,000, officers are well attuned to the multicultural quilt of the city.

Their goal when stepping into the streets is to connect to all residents, so they feel seen, heard, and understood. There is an expectation that when police officers arrive on scene, they are going to help defuse a situation and solve problems.

This can be a challenge when community members don’t feel like they are reflected in their police department. This is where the importance of fostering an inclusive work force is vital, but, in certain cultures, law enforcement still isn’t seen as a viable career option.

The Bakersfield Police Department is working to change this.