Full Notification

On March 12, 2021, the San Leandro Police Department will participate in the first of four scheduled Cultural Diversity and Bias Trainings hosted by the Hayward South Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The San Leandro Police Department worked with the NAACP and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to obtain state certification for this course. This is the first time this branch of the NAACP has partnered with a police department to host a POST certified training.

The presenters for this training will be:
Freddye M. Davis, President of the Hayward South Branch - NAACP, and Civil Rights Activist
Chief Sheryl Boykins, Retired Chief of Police, Cal State East Bay Police Department
Elgin Lowe, Vice President of the Hayward South Branch - NAACP, Alameda County Senior Deputy DA and Civil Rights Activist
Anthony Woods, Youth Pastor at Palma Ceia Baptist Church and Civil Rights Activist
Jimmie Wilson, Alameda County Deputy DA and NAACP Civil Rights Activist

This course aims to improve relations between law enforcement and community by teaching cultural awareness and a deeper understanding of our high-risk communities.

“In order to facilitate collaboration and cooperation between police and the public, it is important that we have a level of understanding as to who they are as people. This is part of our efforts to revitalize the entire police system, so that we make more conscious-driven choices when it comes to working with our diverse communities,” said Acting Chief Luis Torres.

The course will focus on moving away from a ‘warrior’ mindset towards embracing a ‘guardian’ mentality as the more effective way of building trust and legitimacy within our communities. President Barack Obama’s 21st Century Policing Task Force touted this guardian mentality to foster a more community-centric policing method to model the roles of peacekeeper, defender, and protector.

“This is a team effort,” said Retired Chief Sheryl Boykins. “The fact that the San Leandro Police Department has embraced the idea of instituting this type of training, highlights their pursuit of positive collaborative community connections.”

Freddye Davis, the President of the Hayward South Branch of the NAACP added, “This sheds light on the shift of a cultural structure within the law enforcement industry and the San Leandro Police Department. What a proud moment for the agency and the San Leandro community.”

The course will be a two-hour long session with four sessions offered throughout the year and annually or bi-annually thereafter. It will also be a required course as part of the orientation of new hires. Additionally, since the course has been certified, other agencies within Alameda County can utilize it.

For additional information about this partnership, please contact President Freddye Davis at 510-581-4111 or Acting Police Chief Torres at 510-577-3253.