During January 2015, the United States Department of Justice convened a series of dialogues with local leaders, police officials, civil rights advocates, United States Attorneys, students, faith leaders, and community members. The purpose of the dialogues was to discuss what can be done to restore and build law enforcement legitimacy within their respective communities. In the wake of these dialogues, the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing emerged on a nationwide scale. 

During February 2015, the California Attorney General (AG), traveled across the state to convene a series of round-table discussions aimed at strengthening and fostering police legitimacy in the communities they serve.

Research data reveals the legitimacy of any legal authority, particularly the police, is central to the state's ability to function in a justifiable and effective manner.  Data also reveals procedural justice is the most important antecedent of police legitimacy, with judgments about other aspects of its behavior, notably, its effectiveness appearing less relevant. 

The primary organizing principle of the POST, Procedural Justice: Principled Policing and Implicit Bias course, is to execute particular strategies, and organizational principles which are more effective for the stated aim of enhancing community trust and  achieving crime reduction.

During December 2014, the Office of the California Attorney General (AG), Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), Stanford University, Social Psychological Answers to Real-World Questions (SPARQ), Stockton and Oakland police departments formed a collaboratory.  The purpose of the partnership is to elevate California leadership role, in advancing 21st Century Policing at the state level, by exploring the role of procedural justice in building public trust and confidence of law enforcement.

The participants were particularly interested in designing a course which examines the role of justice in shaping law enforcement legitimacy, building community trust and public safety. The collaboratory subsequently created an 8-hour introductory, “Procedural Justice: Principled Policing and Implicit Bias course; and a 16-hour, Train-the-Trainer” course. 

Throughout the training, participants learn by reviewing research findings, watching video clips and PowerPoint presentations illustrating key points, hearing from officers who shared personal experiences with community members, participating in group exercises, and engaging in frank and honest dialogue. The training also includes discussions about the goals and motivations of police officers, the sources of stress and cynicism in policing, the historical and generational effects of policing, and finally, strategies for simultaneously enhancing police-community trust and improving the health and safety of police officers.

During January 2015, the California Attorney General (AG), Department of Justice (DOJ), announced the first-of-its-kind, “Principled Policing: Procedural Justice and Implicit Bias” course in the nation. 

8 Hour Format

The one-day (8-hour) course is designed to help law enforcement officers overcome barriers to neutral policing, and rebuilding the relationship of trust between law enforcement and the community.  This course fosters a learning environment where attendees can engage in honest dialogue which includes addressing the way implicit bias in policing undermines public trust, and has devastating effects on the safety and well-being of our communities. 

16 Hour Train-the-Trainer Format

The two-day (16-hour) course provides a “how-to” on teaching policing approaches which emphasize respect, listening, neutrality, and trust while also addressing the common implicit biases which can be barriers to these approaches.  The “Train-the- Trainer” curriculum was designed to enable officers from law enforcement agencies to gain knowledge and skills to effectively teach the concepts of procedural justice and implicit bias to others within their departments, as well as to tailor the training to their specific needs and community history.

As part of both courses, all participants must complete a pre-course and post-course survey, which Stanford University compiles and analyzes in order to assess the effectiveness of the course. The evaluations of the first course showed that the training advanced police officers' knowledge of procedural justice and implicit bias.  Law enforcement leaders who participated said they believed the training could help increase trust and decrease tension among police and members of the community.

Course Funding

The 2017 budget, signed by Governor Jerry Brown, allocates $5 million for POST, to develop and offer the principled policing course in collaboration with the Attorney General’s office.  This funding will defray the cost for participating agencies, making it possible for many more officers throughout the state to be trained in procedural justice and implicit bias and fund opportunities for evaluation of the course.

Fiscal Year 2017-18 Course Presenters

During fiscal year 2017-18, California State University, Long Beach and South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium, will facilitate statewide presentation of the POST, Plan V, “Principled Policing and Implicit Bias” course.  The course is free to participating POST agencies, and satisfies Continuing Professional Training (CPT), Academy Instructor Certification Course (AICC), and Triennial re-certification requirements as applicable.

Course Distribution

During FY 2017-18, California State University, Long Beach, and South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium, will respectively facilitate statewide presentation of the curriculum as follows:

(24-48) Procedural Justice and Implicit Bias classes 

(4) Train-the-Trainer classes

(2) Facilitator Assessment Workshops (FAW)

Year-to-Date, Cumulative Course Presentations

(12) Procedural Justice and Implicit Bias classes  (4) Train-the-Trainer classes

(2) Facilitator Assessment Workshops (FAW)

The aforementioned courses support POST Strategic Plan Objective A.1, California law enforcement agencies are prepared to address emerging trends and challenges.