TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WTXL) - A special training took place in Tallahassee this week to instruct officers on how to avoid being biased in the field.
Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo was the one who requested the training, called "Fair and Impartial Policing". It's a program out of the University of South Florida.
It addresses the impact of implicit bias in the profession. Lorie Fridell, an associate professor of Criminology at the University of South Florida, conducted he training. Fridell says sometimes bias manifests itself without us even being aware of it. She also said the training will equip law enforcement with the skills needed to overcome bias.
The training includes reducing bias, managing it, and better understanding its implications. Chief DeLeo says he thinks this training is a good way to connect with the community. Police forces all around the country request the training. Chief DeLeo says the training is in response to no specific incidents locally, he is just working to be proactive. Chief DeLeo has plans to spread the training throughout the rest of the department.
