Crime Scenes, Sirens, and an Inclusion Team?! How a State Police Agency Embedded DEI into Their Practices

Description

This is the story of how a mostly white, mostly male law enforcement agency built an Inclusion Team. We will touch on key concepts that moved this agency’s DEI efforts from conception to development and into action. We will take a deeper look into the transformational power of this work while providing the real challenges we continue to face.

For example, in the spirit of supporting Pride with the communities we serve, Oregon State Police (OSP), an agency filled with tradition, created and displayed a Pride patrol car with a rainbow livery. This resulted in a rash of negative responses, some from within the organization. We will talk about the agency’s response to the criticism, and how OSP continues to enhance its law enforcement culture to become more inclusive.

Our presenting team will share vignettes from their own experiences, lead participants through interactive breakout exercises as a tool for engagement, and describe the triumphs and setbacks along this continuing journey.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify teaching/learning tools that directly link to individuals’ disciplines
• Learn methods to lead in DEI regardless of your level in the organization
• Explore how to deal with the subversives that will constantly undermine any DEI efforts introduced