Fair and Impartial Policing. (“NS” – New slide) Intro All people, even well-intentioned people have biases. We’ll discuss various biases. We’ll explore.
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Fair and Impartial Policing
(“NS” – New slide) Intro
All people, even well-intentioned people have biases.
We’ll discuss various biases. We’ll explore what social-psychology has
taught us. Need to recognize our unconscious
biases, so we can implement UNbiased behavior
Fair and Impartial Police Officers are more likely to
Be effective at solving crimes and handling disorder problems
Stay safe and go home at the end of the shift Enhance/promote trust on the part of the people
they serve
Goals of the Training
Recognize our own human biases Understand how implicit biases can affect your
perceptions and behavior Understand how biased policing impacts
officers, community members, and the department
Develop skills and tactics to reduce the influence of bias on police practice and allow you to be effective and safe police professionals
During this training…
Leave your preconceived notions about
“bias” training at the door—our approach is
different from traditional training….
During this training…
Think about what it means to be an effective officer.
During this training…
Share your expertise…you bring rich
experiences and expertise to the
discussions.
This training…..
Requires active participation in all of the discussions, case studies and exercises.
Understanding Human Bias
Susan Boyle – Britain’s Got Talent
Fundamental Concepts of Human Bias Bias is a normal human attribute—even well-
intentioned people have biases Biases are often unconscious or “implicit” Implicit biases are sometimes incompatible with
our conscious attitudes Implicit biases can influence our actions Understanding how implicit bias can affect our
perceptions and behavior is the first step to “override” implicit bias
To Understand Implicit Bias, We Need to Understand…. Whom we are most likely to pre-judge What determines the characteristics we
assign to them Whether we know when we are prejudging
people
To understand implicit bias:
Whom do we pre judge?We prejudge people on sightWe prejudge “ambiguous stimuli”We “fill in” …
What determines the characteristics we attribute to them?Group stereotypes/biasesStereotypes: organize info, based in part on
facts
To understand implicit bias:
Whom do we pre judge?We prejudge “ambiguous stimuli”
What determines the characteristics we attribute to them?Group stereotypes/biases
Do we know when we are doing this?Not always.
Policing – focus on racial/ethnic biasesWhat are other bases on which people may be stereotyped (and treated differentially)?
Income English language abilities Gender Age Religious affiliation Profession Sexual orientation, identity etc.
Woman/Man with a Gun Role Play Anna: How to set up (See “resource
materials”) Implement, hold discussion (SB)
See page 2 of resource handoutDiscussion: 2 versionsSide bar: Stay away from “tactics” discussion
End discussion with key point of role play…
Key Point of Role Play
Policing based on stereotypes is unsafe.
Questions/Comments
Key Points of the “Blink” Response Recognize the “blink” response”
Snap judgments, “thinking without thinking”Can be helpful, but can be fallible
Replace “blink response” with objective (bias free) judgments
“Money Train”
Woody Harrelson is an undercover officer.
Note: The use of the copyrighted material falls under fair use laws with no intended copyright violation.
Stereotyping and Human Bias
When we don’t know an individual, we assign a group characteristic to them
Often we do not know when we are impacted by biases (they can be unconscious or “implicit” biases)
Recognizing our biases allows us to override them—to engage in unbiased behavior.
Law enforcement officers deal with a variety of community members……
Mad World Video – Gary Jules
Hand out cards
Fiske How do people in our society react to the
homeless? How might some officers treat the
homeless versus person of means?
Key Point:
Policing based on stereotypes (biases) is unsafe, ineffective and
unjust.
THE RACE-CRIME ASSOCIATION STUDIES
The “Bump” Study
Study: Experiencing an ambiguous “bump” from a stranger How did people interpret the bump by African
Americans versus the bump by Whites? Result: The “bump” was perceived as more
threatening when performed by an African American. Replicated to show this was true for both White and
non-White “victims”/subjects.
The Visual Perception Study
Subjects were primed with Black male faces, White male faces, or no faces
Completed object recognition task Eberhardt, Goff, Purdie, & Davies (2004).
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Levels of Degradation
Frame 1Frame 25Frame 41
Crime Object
Crime Object
Crime Neutral Objects
Hypotheses
If the Black-crime association impacts our visual perception, then: Participants primed with Black male faces
should be faster to identify crime-relevant objects than those primed with White male faces.
There should be no effect of prime for crime-irrelevant objects.
Object Identification
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
Flashing WhiteFaces
No Faces(Control)
Flashing Black Faces
Fra
me
nu
mb
er
Crime-Relevant
Crime-Irrelevant
________________________________
Visual Perception Study: Conclusions
Exposure to Black male faces facilitated the identification of crime-relevant objects.
Exposure to White male faces inhibited the identification of crime-relevant objects.
Be a research participant!
We will see slides of backgrounds and then a person will appear—very quickly—with something in his hands.
Shout “Threat” if you see a threat [Silent if no threat]
Correll Results: Race Made a Difference
Speed: Participants shot a White armed man slower than a Black armed man
Errors: Participants were more likely to shoot an unarmed Black man than an
unarmed White man
The Turban Effect Study
Research volunteers played a computer game that showed apartment balconies on which different figures appeared, some wearing Muslim-style turbans or hijabs and others bare-headed.
They were told to shoot at the targets carrying guns and spare those who were unarmed.
The Turban Effect Results
People were much more likely to shoot Muslim-looking characters even if they were carrying an “innocent item” instead of a weapon.
They also found a gender effect: Subjects were more likely to shoot men than women (even when harmless).
Unkelbach, Forgas & Denson (2008). J. of Experimental Social Psychology.
[NS] Implications for LE
Officers may see danger when none there (over-vigilent)
May overlook danger (under-viligent)($ Train)
Implicit bias linked to officer safety and effectiveness;Officers may:
Increase their scrutiny of people of color Interpret ambiguous behavior on the part
of people of color as more aggressive Respond to people of color more
aggressively (e.g., as criminals) Under-respond to Whites, Asians, etc. etc.
Biases are Based, at Least in Part, on Fact
One example pertains to race and crime
Criminologists have shown that people of color are
disproportionately involved in street crimes.
Economic Status, Race and Crime A = Lower income people are more likely
to commit street crimes B = People of color are disproportionately
represented in lower income levels A+B=C People of color are
disproportionately represented among people who commit street crimes
[NS] But, that stereotypes are sometimes based in part on fact….
Does not justify your making policing decisions based on those stereotypes.
Such decisions can be unsafe, ineffective or unjust.
Crash Scene: The Streets of Los AngelesUsage of the copyrighted material falls under fair use laws with no intended copyright violation.
Key Point
Policing based on biases is unsafe, ineffective, and unjust
Implicit Bias Manifests in Non-Prejudiced People
[NS]
Implicit bias manifests even in non-prejudiced people
Exists even in individuals who consciously hold non-prejudice ideals/attitudesEX: Many minorities have a
race-crime/danger implicit bias (Bump Study)….
[NS]
Some think: Biased policing is “someone else’s issue”Often think that because of their progressive
attitudes towards other groups, they must be bias free
Quite likely: They are wrong.
Addressing Our Implicit Biases
[NS] Two remedies for our implicit bias “affliction”
Reducing our implicit biases Recognizing our biases and thwart their
impact on behavior.
Reducing Implicit Bias: Contact Theory
Positive contact between members of groups improves inter-group attitudes and reduces both explicit and implicit biases.
POSITIVE (e.g., people’s experiences with police)
Examples?
Personal Contacts and Implicit Biases in Officers Peruche and Plant (2005) Measured
implicit bias on the part of officers Shoot/don’t shoot simulator to measure
implicit bias Surveys too
Police, too, manifest implicit racial biasBut implicit racial/ethnic bias is weaker in
officers who report positive interpersonal contacts with racial/ethnic minorities
[NS] Reducing implicit biases by “Unlinking Stereotypes” Difficult to undo our implicit biases….took
lifetime BUT police firearms training seems to help
us unlink the stereotypes we associate with groups (e.g., minorities and danger)
How might this work?Repeatedly exposed to random pairing of
threat and race (and other demographics)
Simulator training can help us unlink: Correll Study Number 2
Methods: Both civilians and cops, shoot don’t shoot simulator
Speed: Both police and civilians exhibited robust racial bias
Errors: Bias was less likely to manifest itself in the decisions by police. Bottom Line: Police made the correct decisions…..
Interpretation:
High quality, role play use-of-force training helps police “unlink” race & crime for split-second use-of-force decisions.
[Remedy #1: Reduce implicit biases]
[NS] Remedy #2: Recognize our biases and thwart their impact
Implementing “Controlled (unbiased) Behavior”
If we recognize our biases, we can implement “controlled behaviors” that override our (natural) implicit biases.
Examples? In fact, science: People who recognize
their biases and are motivated (well-meaning) can override.
Fundamental Concepts of Human Bias, In Summary
Bias is a normal human attribute—even well-intentioned people have biases
Biases are often unconscious or “implicit” Implicit biases sometimes conflict with our
conscious attitudes Implicit biases can influence our actions Understanding how implicit bias can affect our
behavior is the first step to “override” implicit bias
MODULE 2 [LAF INTRO]
The Impact of Biased Policing on Community Members and the Department
Previous module
Science of implicit bias – perceptions and behaviors
Forms of implicit bias with policing relevance (including race-crime)
Biased policing is ineffective, unsafe, unjust
This Module: Biased Actions Impact
Community members Your law enforcement agency
Impact of biased policing on individuals
Testimonial: Captain Will Hill
RI State Police
Fair and Impartial Policing Engenders Community Respect and Cooperation
How do you and your agency benefit when the community trusts and respects you?
Research Demonstrates
Police cannot be effective without support/cooperation of the community
Community members who perceive the police as being fair see them as a legitimate authority
Examples of support/cooperation due to trust, perceptions of legitimacy?
Your Role in Engendering Police Legitimacy
[NS]
Your daily interactions can influence community support of the department Some cops think – no one sees/cares
YOUR actions determine whether the community thinks agency is legitimateOne aspect: Ensuring your actions are fair
and impartial.AND ensuring that community
SEES/PERCEIVES fair and impartial policing.
Police Legitimacy Impacts the Public’s Willingness To: Obey societal laws Cooperate with the police Assist with crime prevention efforts Assist with valuable information during
criminal investigations Support criminal prosecutions
Police Legitimacy Also Impacts on the Public’s…. Trust and confidence in the police.
SUMMARY: Fair and Impartial Policing Results In…. Community trust and cooperation Legitimacy of police among community
members Safe policing Effective policing “Good” policing
RECRUIT MODULE 3
Skills for Producing Fair, Impartial and Effective Policing
Goals of the Training
Recognize your own human biases Understand how implicit biases can affect our
perceptions and behavior Understand how biased policing impacts
community members and the department Develop skills and tactics to reduce the influence
of bias on police practice and allow us to be effective and safe police professionals
Fundamental Concepts of Human Bias
Bias is a normal human attribute—even well-intentioned people have biases
Biases are often unconscious or “implicit” Implicit biases are sometimes incompatible with
our conscious attitudes Implicit biases can influence our actions Understanding implicit bias or is the first step to
“override” implicit bias
[NS] Two ways we can impact on our biases
Reduce Recognize
[NS] This session:
Learn/apply skills to promote FIP Good for anyone…. But especially police.
Fair and Impartial Police Officers are more likely to Be effective at solving crimes and handling
disorder problems Stay safe and go home at the end of the shift Enhance/promote trust on the part of the people
they serve
Pantomime
Pantomime Debrief
Some saw: Medical emergency, crime in progress, etc.
Point: People can interpret same stimuli differently
Challenge what you think you see
Domestic Violence Role Play
[NS] DV Debrief
Whom did the responding team initially think was the abuser?
On what did they base that assumption? What skills do officers need to ID the
correct offender?
Side Bar
Discussion can take one of two directions depending on team performance:Team went for the guy Team correctly ID’d female abuser
Reinforce this correct response: How? Did they “Correct” for their initial responses? Focused on behavior not biases?
How might other officers have incorrectly gone for the guy.
[NS] Both exercises related to our first skill
Recognize your implicit biases
[pantomime, DV]…..
[NS]
Difficult to rid ourselves of biases We can make sure our biases don’t impact
behaviorRecognizeOverride
[NS] Examples
Taylor: Runs tags only on young Hispanics males
What’s wrong with this? How might he correct this?
[relevant research…]
Meehan and Ponder (2002)
Found that police were more likely to run warrant checks on African Americans than Whites in white neighborhoods….
but less likely to find warrants on the African Americans compared to the Whites.
[NS] Other examples:
Becker: At crash scenes, always approaches driver of nice car first
Officer Michaels: Recognizes that, on minor traffic violations, he only writes citations for men (gives women warnings).
Lessons from role plays and Taylor, Becker, Michaels: Recognize your implicit biases, challenge
what you think you see Implement controlled responses Test yourself: “Would I be proceeding this
way, but for the fact that this person is………”
Beware: “Gut reactions” might be based on your (implicit) biases……
[NS: Instead of gut reactions]
Rely on facts, intelligence, other valid information
Focus on facts at hand Gather additional information Use critical judgment Do not let gender, race, age, etc.
inappropriately impact assumptionsDon’t be “Susan Boyled”
[Restate] Skill #1: Recognize your implicit biases and implement “controlled (unbiased) responses” …
[Other] Skills to Produce Fair, Impartial and Effective Policing Avoid “profiling by proxy” Analyze options with a fair and impartial
policing lens Reduce ambiguity: slow it down Reduce ambiguity: engage with the
community.
Skill #2: Avoid “Profiling by Proxy”
[NS]
Our message has been: “Recognize your OWN biases”
This skill (Profiling by Proxy): Beware other people’s implicit biasesDon’t let THEIR biases impact YOUR
behavior
“Birmingham cop” video:
What would you do and why?
Do you have to intervene? Do you really have to respond to every behavior
the public finds offensive? Does a couple have the right to do what they are
doing? Are they doing anything illegal?
What’s the down side to intervening?
[NS] Lesson: Avoid Profiling by Proxy You do not have to intervene in all
situations. You must use critical judgment. Throughout this training: You are learning
to recognize/handle your OWN biases…Here we emphasize: Do not let others’ biases
impact on your behavior.
Skill #3: Analyze Your Options with a “Fair and Impartial Policing” (FIP) Lens
Scenario
A woman in an all-White neighborhood calls 9-1-1 to report a “suspicious man in a car” out in front of her house. It appears that the only thing that is “suspicious” is that the man is Black; she is unable to articulate or identify any behaviors that indicate criminal activity.
In your teach-back groups: What are your options and the pros/cons of each?
Point of discussion
Not one right answer Point (skill): Think about options with a
“fair and impartial policing lens”Think about the perspective of the person in
the car…
[NS] Revised scenario
Same circumstance, but this time the man fits the description of a person in a vehicle who committed a home burglary in the area. You approach and question.
He convinces you he is not the burglar He is angry and accuses you of biased policing
How might you respond?
[NS] Responses
Key = Reduce frustration/anger Provide specific info on recent burglary
How he matched BOLO Demonstrate empathy Apologize for inconvenience Tell him how to follow up
[NS] Yet another scenario
You have made a legitimate traffic stop and the woman in that situation accuses you of stopping her because she is Hispanic.
How do you respond? How do officers mess this up?
[car door conversation….downhill]
[NS] Our suggested response
“I am sorry that you feel that way, but I stopped you because…..”
Acknowledges the person’s concern Steers conversation back to business.
[Summary of Skill #3] With Your FIP Lens… Challenge what you think you see Recognize your own biases Recognize others’ biases Consider bias-free options Consider the viewpoint of people with
whom you are interacting Minimize negative impacts (including
potential perceptions of biased-policing) with strong communication skills
Skills #4 and #5: Reduce Ambiguity
#4: When feasible, “slow it down”
#5: Engage with community members
[NS] Why reduce ambiguity?
In discussion of Susan Boyle: We prejudge people who are “ambiguous
stimuli”Attribute group stereotypes to themDo not always know this is happening
[NS] #4: Reduce ambiguity, slow it down Man on a Porch exercise See your resource materials
“Man on the Porch, Recruit Handout”
[NS] Key Point
Officers acted quickly and a tragic outcome was producedThey misread cues.Bias might have impacted their decisions.
When you can, slow it down. Reduce ambiguity
Gather more information before you act (if you can)
So you don’t act on your biases.
Skill #5: Reduce ambiguity, engage with community members
Contact Theory: Revisited Positive contact between members of groups
improves inter-group attitudes and reduces both explicit and implicit biases.
Positive contact reduces ambiguity about individuals and groups
Get to know your communities…
Write down three very specific things you could do in a week’s time to engage with members of a community.
Think of youths, parents, other adults, business owners.
[Summary] Skills #4 and #5: Reduce Ambiguity
#4: When feasible, “slow it down”
#5: Engage with community members
Summary of Key Points: Module 1 All people, even well-intentioned people
have biasesThey can be “implicit” (unconscious)Susan Boyle:
We prejudge, We fill them in, Often we don’t know
[Sum, Module 1 Cont.]
Even though stereotypes might be based in part on fact (remember Sandra Bullock)…..
Policing based on biases can be unsafe, ineffective and unjustShoot don’t shoot (not shooting white…..) $ Train Treating homelessMan/woman with gun and DV role plays
Summary of Key Points: Module 2 Biased policing has negative
consequences for community members and the departmentBiased policing erodes community trustCommunity trust is essential for cooperation
and support of officers and the departmentCommunity trust is essential for police
legitimacy
Module 3: To be a fair and impartial officer, you need to Recognize your implicit biases and
implement “controlled (unbiased) responses”
Avoid “profiling by proxy” Analyze options with a fair and impartial
policing lens Reduce ambiguity: (a) slow it down, and
(b) engage with the community.
We hope this training…
Better understanding science of human bias
Renewed your appreciation of negative impact
You learned skills ….will serve you.
Thank you!!
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