Dates and Times:

  • SOLD OUT May 19, 2026: Reading Police Department 815 Washington Street, Reading PA
  • SOLD OUT May 20, 2026: Reading Police Department 815 Washington Street, Reading PA
  • SOLD OUT June 2, 2026: Reading Police Department 815 Washington Street, Reading PA
  • SOLD OUT June 3, 2026: Reading Police Department 815 Washington Street, Reading PA

This one day course is designed to equip law enforcement professionals with the knowledge, awareness, and strategies necessary to identify and address implicit bias in their decision-making processes. Implicit bias is an inherent part of human cognition; however, in law enforcement, it can impact interactions, investigations, and enforcement actions in ways that compromise fairness, erode community trust, and diminish the effectiveness of officers. Within our organization, it may manifest as disproportionate scrutiny of average or underperforming employees, while potentially overlooking issues with high-performing individuals.

By fostering self-awareness and accountability, this lesson aims to promote fairness in policing, enhance decision-making, and strengthen both community trust and internal cohesion within law enforcement agencies.

Training Objectives:

  1. Recognize and Understand Implicit Bias in Law Enforcement
    • Define implicit bias and differentiate it from explicit bias.
    • Examine the psychological and neurological foundations of bias.
    • Identify how unconscious biases develop and influence perception in both external interactions (with the public) and internal interactions (with colleagues, subordinates, and leadership).
  1. Analyze the Impact of Bias on Law Enforcement Decision-Making and Leadership
    • Explore how various forms of bias—including gender, race, age, generational, political, ideological, and socioeconomic biases—can impact law enforcement officers’ interactions with suspects, victims, and the general public.
    • Examine how bias can impact key law enforcement decisions, including investigations, use-of-force situations, and arrests.
    • Identify how bias can influence internal processes within law enforcement agencies, such as promotions, disciplinary actions, supervision, and career development.
    • Discuss on how bias can manifest in supervisory roles, including favoritism, over-supervision of certain employees, and unconscious preferences in leadership decisions.
  1. Develop Strategies to Mitigate Bias in Policing and Leadership
    • Learn practical techniques to identify and counteract bias in daily interactions both externally (with the public) and internally (within the agency).
    • Implement critical thinking and situational awareness to ensure unbiased decision-making in personnel management, disciplinary actions, and leadership development.
    • Foster an agency culture that prioritizes fairness, accountability, and professionalism at all levels, ensuring that bias does not impact career opportunities, leadership evaluations, or officer well-being.