Implicit Bias

An implicit bias is an unconsciously held thought, belief, or association about a social group. Implicit biases are formed because our brains naturally sort and categorize information about the world. We are all susceptible to this type of bias which is influenced by our environment and past experiences. Implicit biases operate almost entirely on an unconscious level. While explicit biases and prejudices are intentional and controllable, implicit biases are less so. Implicit biases can result in stereotyping, the attribution of particular qualities to all individuals from that group. This does not mean that we are necessarily prejudiced or inclined to discriminate against other people. It simply means that our brain is working in a way that makes associations and generalizations.

Training police officers to recognize and mitigate implicit bias can help them appropriately react and respond during tense and dangerous situations. Since implicit bias is often outside the conscious awareness of the individual, implicit bias training focuses on bringing awareness to the biases that we all have. This awareness can help change behavior moving forward, so they can provide more effective service to the community.

The Police Academy training that all new officers receive is extensive. It includes workshops that help them recognize their implicit biases, so they can react to situations objectively and appropriately. Part of this training includes simple exercises such as viewing a video of two groups of people, one from Boston and one from New York. Each group was asked to identity the opposite group while choosing from various descriptive words, some positive, some negative. People from Boston picked more negative words for New Yorkers, as did New Yorkers chose negative words for Bostonians. The Yankees/ Red Sox baseball rivalry was evident in their implicit bias. Another example an officer might learn is examining police implicit bias through their previous or reported interactions with the public. NYPD officers were shown to at times associate a potential illegal gun possession suspect with a young Black male carrying a semi-automatic handgun. However, Buffalo officers were shown to associate a potential illegal gun possession suspect with a white male carrying a long gun. Each bias was based on their past arrest experiences or the experiences of colleagues. However, such an implicit bias might lead an officer to misjudge an innocent person or dismiss a danger due to their bias. In one real life case, an officer in a store believed a gun suspect was acting alone, based on his experience and implicit bias. The officer drew his weapon on the male suspect, but the officer’s implicit bias led him to believe the woman standing behind the shooter was not a threat. She shot the officer. Another example officers are given is when a study group of officers and civilians were divided into two groups, and shown photos of people, the officers identified a weapon in a person’s hand because they were looking for it. The implicit bias against suspecting a weapon led the civilians to miss seeing the weapon. Implicit bias can be detrimental to the safety of the public and officers alike.

Officers are taught to think about their own life experiences and how those experiences might lead to their implicit bias. Each person has their own unique experiences and thus individual introspection is needed for each officer to identify his or her potential implicit bias. Once aware that implicit bias exists, officers think about and remember their biases in order to not let their bias impact their views, thoughts, or actions in situations. They make a conscious decision to judge each situation on its own merits, not on their past life experiences which might cloud their thinking. A stressful situation can cause an officer to forget his or her awareness of implicit bias. They are taught to slow down and think before acting. Remove the stress of time pressure, when possible, to ensure their implicit bias does not impact their thinking. They are also taught to be aware of how others might feel, just as an officer would feel if someone expressed implicit bias against the officer. They are taught to see people’s individuality, not their group identity, to maintain respect for each other’s differences, and to strive for inclusivity while finding commonality with all people. While implicit bias training teaches that diversity is a positive in the workforce, most often officers will naturally embrace such diversity in their workplace. An officer’s life depends on fellow officers from all walks of life, color, nations, genders, religions, sexual orientations, and belief systems. They are a brotherhood/ sisterhood. They embrace each other’s differences and learn from each other, often participating in each other’s family milestones and celebrations. Implicit bias training helps them to remember to carry their experience with lived diversity and their belief in diversity and inclusivity to all people they meet.

Officers also participate in an annual three-part anti-bias training. When a police officer responds to a call, it is often based on someone else’s perception and possible bias with regard to what happened and who is responsible. Unless life threatening, officers are trained to respond with an open mind and let the facts unfold in front of them as opposed to making snap judgements, since using past experiences without objectively assessing the situation may cloud an officer’s thinking. In addition to training at the Academy, Croton Police Officers participate in ongoing training, attending classes for law enforcement, some through the PERMA Institute. These classes include important information on diversity, inference, and implicit bias to help them stay aware of how they might and should react to situations. This awareness gives them the ability to understand a situation through the “eyes” of the participants, without bringing the officer’s own implicit bias to the situation. This leads them to be better able to safely de-escalate situations. Consistent training keeps the topic at the fore of their thoughts, helping to prevent past and new biases from impacting their interactions with others. Understanding and mitigating implicit bias is a daily thought exercise and it becomes second nature. Croton officers fully embrace their implicit bias training, along with all training that helps them to best serve our residents.

This article was written by members of the Police Advisory Committee as part of the Community Information Project.