Today, the Lawrence Police Department began mandatory training in the areas of Managing Implicit Bias in Policing and Immigration Issues in the Community. Over the next three days, members of the Department will take part in this 8 hour long training. 

Managing Implicit Bias for Law Enforcement training is designed to reduce the influence of bias in interactions and decision-making, contribute to improved police-community relations and increase officer safety. The program presents a series of strategies and tools designed to help participants become more aware of and adept at managing the impact of bias. Members of the Department will be introduced to implicit bias concepts, to recognize their relevance in contemporary policing practices, as well as learn skills and strategies to minimize and address job-related challenges involving implicit bias. Officers will also learn to utilize effective interpersonal approaches to foster positive interactions with community members.

The first four hour block will be led by experience law enforcement professionals who have extensive training in the area of Implicit Bias Police Training.

The second four hour block will focus on relevant issues of Immigration in the City of Lawrence. The training will discuss challenges and concerns faced by persons new to the community. This session will be led by local Immigration Attorney Zoila M. Gómez. Attorney Gomez has been a community leader in the area of immigration in Massachusetts. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the American Bar Association.