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News Break on 26-07-2018 15:57:05

A program that educates officers about subconscious stereotypes is getting traction among police departments across the nation.

Racial "implicit bias" training, which has only gained popularity in the last couple years, actually changes officers' behavior in a positive way. Much of its success depends on how good the trainer is, experts say.

The training doesn't aim to rid the mind of involuntary prejudices. Instead, it helps officers learn how to avoid acting on them. Training can range from a half-hour to a full-day.

The training can move the needle on implicit bias temporarily. But the research shows for long-term impact, there needs to be ongoing engagement. As for police departments, they can bring implicit bias trainers back for frequent future sessions and follow-up assessments to make sure the training sticks.

Accountability is crucial. Cameras and publicly sharing engagements can help officers learn from each other.
Individuals can watch and then after individual sessions expand into groups to overcome learned biases.

Implicit bias training isn't perfect — it's a step in the right direction.

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