University Holds ‘Implicit Bias’ Training for Department of Public Safety and CNY Law Enforcement

As part of an ongoing effort to increase cultural competency, improve understanding of issues related to diversity and inclusion, and provide professional growth opportunities for campus and community law enforcement officers, the Division of Campus Safety and Emergency Services will host “implicit bias” training on Tuesday, Nov. 22, for all officers and supervisors within the Department of Public Safety as well as Central New York law enforcement agencies. This training will be conducted by Bryant T. Marks Sr., minister, researcher, master teacher and human developmentalist.

Bryant T. Marks Sr.

Marks is an associate professor of psychology at Morehouse College, director of the Program for Research on Black Male Achievement, and serves on President Obama’s board of advisors for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. He holds a B.A. in psychology and a minor in economics from Morehouse College, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Michigan.

According to Marks, “Broadly speaking, implicit bias is varying degrees of stereotyping, prejudice and/or discrimination below conscious awareness in a manner that benefits oneself or one’s group; it involves limited or distorted perceptions of others. It is everywhere and affects everyone. We are all biased.”

This three-hour, highly interactive training consists of introspective exercises and small group dialogue of difficult topics addressing the following questions:

• What is implicit bias?
• What does implicit bias look like in the real world?
• How is implicit bias measured?
• How does implicit bias affect the target of bias?
• How can the potential impact of implicit bias on behavior and outcomes be reduced?

“In light of recent concerns and a national conversation regarding community and police relations, we felt that this a perfect time to bring in Dr. Marks as part of our ongoing efforts to train not only the University’s law enforcement, but other Central New York Law Enforcement teams as well,” says Tony Callisto, senior vice president and chief law enforcement officer. “We have officers from SUNY ESF, SUNY OCC, New York State Police, City of Syracuse, Town of Camillus, City of Cortland, Village of North Syracuse, City of Rome, City of Auburn, Village of Trumansburg, City of Oswego, Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police joining us for this event,” he adds.

Callisto believes that this training will help officers increase their awareness of subconscious biases, which in turn will improve their relationships and interactions with the communities that they protect and serve.

For more information about Marks, visit his website at http://drbryantmarks.com/.