Implicit Bias

Implicit Bias is a commonly misinterpreted term. Often used to describe unconscious racism, implicit biases are, in actuality, much more than a singularly held prejudice. They are much more complex in scope. They are possessed by all human beings and exist for a purpose. The key questions regarding biases we hold unconsciously are: Why do we have them? Where do they come from? What are mine? And perhaps most importantly: Are they helpful or maladaptive when it comes to assessing, deciding and behaving during interactions with others?

In this course, we will dissect all biases, whether implicit or explicit, and examine whether we have any that are illicit in nature, particularly as they relate to race and cultural diversity. Biases that could cause officers to unconsciously view certain people as inherently dangerous can result inaccurate assessments, flawed decisions, unprofessional behavior and unnecessary uses of force.