Police forces are a visible branch of state authority, legally entrusted to protect society and maintain order by force when deemed necessary. However, governments cannot rely solely on force. They need to claim and obtain support from their citizens, and to promote national integration and a sense of cohesion among diverse segments of the population or face the risk of discontent and possibly violent conflict. One thing to understand about biases, they are learned from a young age and even throughout one’s lifespan. Biases are bad or negative, it’s simply a bias. It’s the individual’s behavior that promotes the outcome, positive or negative. Citizens, especially those who interact more with law enforcement, have the tendency to educate their children through biases. In part, this may be necessary, one may believe that this is what will protect their child. Moreover, these same individuals were most likely told the same thing, so it’s passed down from generation to generation. This course is for citizens and the community. We will teach citizens a more result-oriented method to improving the interaction between law enforcement and themselves. Children and adults should be able to maintain their individuality and pride without creating fear amongst themselves and law enforcement. This course is also driven through the prism of the citizen, recognizing their fears, helping with safeguards, and most importantly, reengaging law enforcement by accepting their role to protect, but also to serve. We will address biases commonly held by citizens and how these biases impact the inevitable interactions with law enforcement.
