Rapidly changing demographics in the United States have created new challenges for the law enforcement profession. As the Spanish-speaking population continues to grow in this country, agencies should ensure that recruits bear in mind the fundamental elements of cultural differences. Trainees must understand the importance of dealing with citizens on an individual basis, rather than as a generic population, and how assimilation into the United States culture varies according to immigrant generations. Subsequently, those who train recruits should examine the following basic elements of cultural differences that can assume great importance in the everyday life of those who enforce the law: names, view of law enforcement, pride in national identity, expressivity and body language, concept of time, and machismo (strong sense of masculine pride). 6 notes