A new report from the Department of Justice found that a lack of diversity in police departments is hurting community policing, and that a more diverse workforce would help to rebuild the trust that has been shattered in cities and towns around the country.

“This finding is bolstered by decades of research confirming that when members of the public believe their law enforcement organizations represent them, understand them, and respond to them – and when communities perceive authorities as fair, legitimate, and accountable – it deepens trust in law enforcement, instills public confidence in government, and supports the integrity of democracy,” the report said. “This trust is essential to defusing tension, to solving crimes, and to creating a system in which residents view law enforcement as fair and just.”