Farmington, NM – Several Farmington police officers will travel to Chicago this week to receive training on procedural justice and police legitimacy. Procedural justice is the process used by police officers where citizens are treated fairly and with proper respect. It focuses on how police interact with the public and how the public’s view of police is shaped by those interactions. Procedural justice consists of four core principles: giving others a voice (listening), neutrality in decision making, respectful treatment and trustworthiness. The practice of these concepts help strengthen the department’s relationship with the community and improve officer safety and efficiency. Police legitimacy refers to when a citizen feels that an officer should be deferred to, complied with and trusted.
The training was developed by Chicago Police Department’s Education and Training Division with support from two Yale law professors. It is a three-day train the trainer course, which means attendees will be equipped to train other employees upon their return. The course is appropriate for both sworn and civilian law enforcement personnel. Lecture materials will be provided and assistance will be given so that students may tailor their presentations for issues they are encountering.
Farmington Police Department will be sending two supervisors and two patrol officers to the training. The department will look at developing an accredited course to be offered at the local police academy.