In a continuing effort to model best practices, two Columbus State University Police supervisors have earned certification to train other officers in fair and impartial policing techniques and about the science of bias.

The “Train-the-Trainer” course and certification facilitates the adoption of best practices and policies for law enforcement agencies, which is the goal of the department’s training curriculum, said Lt. Tess Taylor, training coordinator for CSU Police.

The science of bias explores the influence of implicit and explicit biases that affect how all people function. These biases may consciously or unconsciously have an impact on impartiality. The program stresses that police officers are human, and as such, have some inherent biases. Bias does not necessarily equate to racism or other common terms of discrimination, but more accurately describes the influences on how an officer interacts with and treats the citizens they encounter. According to the program, police officers who are able to identify these biases can reduce and manage their influences, allowing them to be better at their jobs.

“This fair and impartial training was a solid investment for our agency that has generated some self-reflection for me and has helped me think about how our profession can use this training to be better at policing,” said Taylor, one of those certified. Lt. Benjamin Scott also was certified.

The 20- hour course was conducted through the United States Department of Justice and their Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The training itself was held in Kansas and was sponsored by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. Obtaining this Train-the-Trainer certification will allow these police instructors to teach the fair and impartial policing program to all officers within the CSU Police Department, as well as other law enforcement agencies within Georgia.