fbinaa_apr-jun-2020-Press-digital

N o matter how good our intentions are there will always be blinders when it involves people and cultures we do not understand or relate to. Cultural bias and lack of awareness in a moment when police and citizens have an interaction could easily escalate into an unwanted outcome. There is a dynamic nature to the human condition. By that I mean we as human beings are always processing information in an attempt to determine how best to address an issue, improve our lives, advance our desires or just simply survive. With this mind, generally speaking - there is a necessity for us as law enforcement professionals to be more in tune with the psychology of human nature and human behavior. Where this becomes all the more critical is when the element of cultural differences comes into play. For instance, an African American male who has grown up in southern parts of the United States may have experienced cultural upbringings that are very different than a Caucasian male who grew up in the that same region. That lack of exposure each man has to the cultural upbringing and development of the other can serve as a significant road block to understanding one another when it is most needed. The United States is a melting pot of cultural diversity and that is ever-present in the masses of people we see in our communities every day. The dangers we face as law enforcement professionals make it an absolute necessity to build strong partnerships with our communities and various stakeholders. In order to enhance those partnerships, we must be willing and able to hire and retain a well-trained and diverse work force that is more reflective of the communities we serve and the global community as a whole. The emphasis on training and the

implementation of cultural diversity must be a cornerstone of our updated hiring and in-service best practices.

The events in Charlottesville VA, Baltimore MD, Ferguson MO, Brunswick GA and Minneapolis MN are just a few examples of how communities across this country are divided in very dangerous ways. These circumstances make it even more critical for us as law enforcement practitioners to become more aware of cultural nuances, to remain professional at all times, maintain unbiased interactions and be knowledgeably passionate about everyone in our community, not just the those we identify with. We cannot build a coalition of peace and prosperity in this nation’s communities if we do not have credibility in the eyes of the people we serve. Credibility comes from having integrity in our actions, showing genuine interest in getting to know our communities even if that requires extra effort on our part, accepting responsibility when we fail to do things right and holding ourselves accountable in order to right those wrongs. There is awesome responsibility that comes with choosing to be a law enforcement officer. We have the authority to deprive human beings of their freedom and in the most extreme cases the use of deadly force when warranted. These facts alone require us to demand the very best of our people and ourselves - To whommuch is given much is also expected. We live in the greatest country on earth and serve in one of its most noble professions. There is no greater time than right now for law enforcement to rise up, lead the way and make a

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