Description goals: Dr. Carter will discuss research from her Shades of Justice project, an innovative study that examines the relationship between colorism and justice-related issues. Across the United States, perceptions of the Criminal Justice System(CJS) are mixed. For example, scholarship consistently finds white individuals often have more positive views of the CJS than their Black and Brown counterparts. This matters because perceptions of the CJS influences policy and practice. Arguably, perceptions of students who aspire to be CJ practitioners are even more critical as their beliefs will shape the future of the system. Using an original mixed methods data set entitled Shades of Justice; this talk explores student perceptions of the criminal justice system while acknowledging the impact of race, ethnicity, and skin tone. Findings suggest students largely perceive the system as flawed - if not irrevocably broken. Additionally, results show skin tone and race impact CJS perceptions – in different ways. We will also discuss the implications of DEI in the CJ system in light of these findings.

RSVP AT: https://www.strategiesjustice.com/forum-series Join us for this Free Forum sponsored by Strategies for Justice If this is your first event with SFJ, make sure to check your Junkbox for the confirmation and reminder email. The topic of today is Diversity in Law Enforcement Each guest panelists are representative of a Law Enforcement organization that looks at providing equity within and outside of law enforcement. Our panelist will be: Officer Kathy Caldwell (Co-chair for the LGBTQ Hall of Fame; Treasurer for the Gay Officer Action League) Chief Sonia Quinones (National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives) President Lynda Williams (National Organization of Black Law Enforcement) We will discuss what challenges are faced in the police force as a result of your race, gender, and/or sexual orientation? But most importantly, what needs to change in order for those challenges to be addressed. Each panelist will provide what their organization does to address the need for recruitment, retention, and representation in law enforcement. Don't miss this free opportunity to engage and have an open dialogue.

About the Event Join us for this Free Forum sponsored by Strategies for Justice The topic of today is The Legalities, policies, and laws in times of injustice Each guest panelists panelist has a legal and law enforcement background and deals with cases of police criminology. Ken Williams is a former Boston-area homicide detective and expert witness consultant in wrongful death cases. Mr. Williams is retained by civil rights attorneys to evaluate and render unbiased opinions in officer-involved shootings and other deaths. He has appeared as a subject matter expert in print and television media and has been featured as a public speaker at law schools and community forums. Mr. Williams also performs a public service for non-profits and families in need by providing an unbiased opinion review waving fees. To read more about Mr. Williams and his services visit https://www.kwillservices.com/ Jonathan Newton, Esq. is a former police officer who was wrongfully accused of serious crimes. After this experience, he became a lawyer to fight for justice. Mr. Newton practices focus on Police Misconduct, Civil Rights, amongst other criminal defenses. Mr. Newton is also the sitting president of the National Association Against Police Brutality (https://www.naapb.org/) whose mission is to eliminate incidents of police brutality through proactive education of citizens, creating public awareness of the issue and advocating for the rights of victims. The National Association Against Police Brutality seeks to create a national standard for use-of-force guidelines and officer accountability for law enforcement personnel. We will discuss why police misconduct is a difficult topic to discuss in America and what actions are their organizations taking during these times of injustice. Lastly, we will cover what steps are crucial for creating policies and laws tailored towards police accountability and what message our guests have for America. Don't miss this free opportunity to engage and have an open dialogue. Facilitated by Carlos Wiley, Director, Paul Robeson Center, PSU

The topic of today is Law Enforcement Responding to Generational Trauma in the Black Community Each guest panelists are representative of Law Enforcement organization that looks at providing equity within and outside of law enforcement. Our panelist will be: Damon K Jones (NY Rep, Black In Law Enforcement of America) Blacks In Law Enforcement of America believes that Law Enforcements’s purpose is to protect and serve. Not to contain the poor, the economically disadvantage, or to take advantage of those who cannot fight back or have a true voice in the matter at hand. Sonia Pruitt (National Chairwomen) The National Black Police Association (NBPA) is a national organization comprised of sub-regional African American Police Associations whom are dedicated to promoting justice, fairness, and effectiveness in law enforcement. The NBPA has several chartered organizations throughout the United States and has associate members abroad, in Canada, Bermuda, and the United Kingdom. The core focus of NBPA centers upon Law Enforcement issues, with a strong emphasis on the effects of these issues on the community. Heather Taylor (President, Ethical Society of Police) The Ethical Society of Police (E.S.O.P.) was founded in 1968 by African-American Officers to address racial biases within the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) and to bridge the gap between the police and the community. Our organization is open to officers and civilians of various races, sexes, genders, sexual orientations, and religions. The E.S.O.P. represents approximately two hundred and twenty police officers and civilians employed by the City of St. Louis. We will discuss not only our current climate but the historical trauma that is faced within communities of color. In our conversation, we will cover what steps are crucial for law enforcement to adequately bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement and their message to America. Don't miss this free opportunity to engage and have an open dialogue.

Have you ever considered undergoing a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) effort? This presentation is for you. Description goals: This one-hour presentation and discussion is designed to create awareness of what should be considered and acknowledged before taking on the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiative or effort. While DEIB efforts are valued on the surface, understanding your current culture may be essential to growth, progress, and sustainability. Learning objectives By attending this presentation, participants will be able to Identify at least two mistakes typically made when attempting to undergo DEIB initiatives Summarize what acknowledgments must be made before undergoing a DEIB initiative. List the unintended consequences of not being able to summarize the acknowledgments above. About the presenters Terry Lee Watson, founder of Strategies for Justice BWMP LLC, has provided workshops on racial and disability justice for over 20 years. Mr. Watson has presented at Universities, K-12, social justice organizations, and conferences. A true believer in having civil discourse, Mr. Watson constantly challenges perspectives leading to him writing this book, Welcome to the sick mind of a sane person, where he asks the question, how do we, as conscious black people participate in sustaining white supremacy? As the Assistant Director of Student Disability Services for Penn State University World Campus, Mr. Watson works closely with faculty, designers, and student-facing units. In this capacity, he helps shape practices, procedures, and policies to include individuals with disabilities. Nationally, Mr. Watson's training workshop, Beyond Accommodations, examines pedagogy through the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) lens and provides insight into inclusive practices by addressing misconceptions and unique challenges. Iris Richardson was born and raised in Philadelphia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology at Penn State Berks and a master’s degree in counseling in higher education/student affairs from West Chester University. Richardson has worked at Penn State for the past 9 ½ years in various Residence Life/Student Affairs positions. In March, Richardson accepted a new position as Penn State University Police and Public Safety’s first diversity, equity, and inclusion director. In this newly added position, Richardson will be committed to developing overall diversity, equity, and inclusion programming for UPPS while also serving the Penn State community, she will serve the department’s employees and the Penn State community at 22 campuses. Leslie Marant was selected as the first Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the Philadelphia Police Department in April 2022. She is the former Chief Counsel of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the anti-discrimination law enforcement agency for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Before serving at the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Leslie worked as a Staff Attorney in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. During her tenure in federal court, Leslie served on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania’s Diversity in Jury Selection Committee. Ms. Marant is a Special Olympics Cities of Inclusion Executive Council member. She is also a community health activist who has partnered with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health for many years. This partnership assisted in developing strategies for equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Ms. Marant is a frequent panelist on public health inequities and disparities. She created the annual Philadelphia Health Justice Summit. Leslie earned her Master of Law in Trial Advocacy, Juris Doctorate, and Bachelor of Science in Finance and Human Resources Administration degrees from Temple University.

The guest speakers will be Joe Smarro (Joe) and Jenifer McShane (Director/Producer) from the Watch-N-Discuss documentary, Ernie & Joe Crisis Cops. Moderator: Dr. Shannon J. Telenko, Ph.D

Targeted Audience: police administration & supervisors, government/elected officials community partners & leaders Description goals: An investigation into worst-case scenarios and the relationship between trauma and suicide among police officers. This study attempts to answer the following questions: Do police officers who attempt or complete suicide exhibit characteristics that differ from their counterparts who do not attempt or complete suicide? and Can FFD be helpful in identifying which officers are at most risk for or best protected from suicide? The study concludes by providing possible solutions for developing a suicide risk assessment specific to police. As well as discusses potential policy and procedural changes necessary to better protect officers from the residual effects of answering the call of duty. Learning objectives By attending this workshop, leaders should be able to: Assessing the problem: Police trauma and suicide rates. Review of the literature: Profile and risk factors in police suicide. Identifying risk factors: Worst case scenario (a case study). Assessment and prevention: Analysis of FFD evaluations. Conclusions: Proposed model of a suicide risk assessment specific to police officers.

Targeted Audience: police administration & supervisors, government/elected officials community partners & leaders Description goals: Trauma can come about from a variety of situations and presents itself in multiple ways. This workshop aims to help police, government, and community partners & leaders identify where trauma derives from, how it presents itself, and how it impacts a department and local community. This workshop looks to help leaders create a plan for mental well-being. Learning objectives By attending this workshop, leaders should be able to: Identify where trauma comes from Identify what trauma looks like on the job Plan for ways to create pathways to mental well-being.