Release posted on 01-25-22 at 11:50 a.m.

During the next two weeks members of the St. Petersburg Police Department, neighborhood youth, residents, and community and civic leaders, are taking part in a special community engagement training to build trust. Randy B. Nelson, Ph.D., director of the Center for Law and Social Justice at Bethune-Cookman University, is leading the sessions and facilitating speakers.

The training kicked-off with sessions for SPPD officers through this week. Photos of the first session are attached. On January 29th, February 5th, and 12th, Dr. Nelson will hold meetings at various locations with community residents, stakeholders and youth.

The objective is to critically assess past and present perceptions and attitudes of law enforcement and community residents towards each other, identify strategies to create positive interactions, and learn strategies to decrease cultural misunderstandings.

The ultimate goal is to establish and sustain a positive environment of trust between police officers and the community they serve. This program was funded by the Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation.