The Lawrence Police Department regularly participates and mandates countless trainings in the areas of De-escalation, Managing Implicit Bias in Policing, Diversity and Cultural Awareness, Procedural Justice as well as Policing in an Immigrant Community and Immigration Issues in the Community. Additionally, the Department regularly updates its Use of Force Policy to reflect the highest national standard.
All of these trainings are designed to improve police-community relations. The trainings give our Officers a series of strategies and tools designed to help them better understand the most relevant and contemporary practices for policing with empathy, compassion, and equality for all in a culturally diverse community. Officers also learn to utilize effective interpersonal approaches to foster positive interactions with community members.
These training are provided by some of the leading experts in their respective fields including former Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis, local Immigration Attorney, Zoila M. Gómez, and Attorney John S. Sheft.
Lawrence Police Department Use of Force Policy GO-2020-8 (PDF)