University Police and Public Safety co-sponsors Strategies for Justice event

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Police and Public Safety (UPPS) is co-sponsoring and participating in the Strategies for Justice Symposium on Conscious Law Enforcement and Inclusive Practices. This virtual symposium is designed to bring law enforcement, academia, trauma experts and social justice advocates together to participate in meaningful conversations and to develop inclusive practices for their communities.

In addition to sponsorship, a number of Penn State police officers and UPPS employees also will be attending the event.

The three-day event will be held virtually from April 8-10. Registration is open here. There is a minimal fee associated with the symposium. The agenda includes interactive sessions on topics such as civilian engagement, laws and legalities, misrepresentation of community policing, building consciousness in law enforcement for areas related to racial truth and reconciliation, disability justice, and gender equity — to name just a few sessions. The full agenda is available at the link above.

The symposium theme is “Change isn’t easy, but it’s necessary,” in response to the ongoing national dialogue about social justice and the calls for change. The event will provide a space for building strategies for justice by using the power of stories as a foundation for reform. Organizers recognize this is not an easy task; however, it is the necessary first step to having thoughtful conversations and developing reform.

“We are proud to be a part of the dialogue and to work alongside our fellow community members in order to make meaningful change,” said Charlie Noffsinger, associate vice president for Penn State University Police and Public Safety. “We recognize that working toward social justice does not occur through one act or one event. Our department has been actively making changes, especially over the last two years, through policy revision, increased and diversified trainings, and community outreach. Co-sponsoring and participating in this important symposium is just one more way we are working to make needed change as a law enforcement agency.”

The symposium is an opportunity to take the important initial steps to develop a consciousness on how generational trauma impacts community and law enforcement relations by learning, engaging and building a pathway toward healing. The event also will look at how inclusive practices can be developed through education, research and legislative change.

“It is important to look for ways to build bridges with the community, and this symposium is one opportunity for us to come together, listen and consider new and unique ways to solve problems, and address the concerns and needs of the community,” said Iris Richardson, diversity, equity and inclusion director for Penn State UPPS.

Event co-sponsor Strategies for Justice is a speaking and training organization with a focus on issues of gender, disability and racial equity within law enforcement. The organization’s intent is to create policing reform within law enforcement agencies by unveiling untold narratives of injustice. Its mission is to provide the tools necessary to help individuals, social justice organizations and higher education to work in collaboration with law enforcement and engage in civil dialogue, all to help create meaningful change within the communities police serve.

“The most significant change happens when we come together, share our experiences and develop a mutually supported solution,” said Terry Watson, founder of Strategies for Justice. “Every time we can bring together community members, private sector experts and law enforcement professionals to share experiences and develop solutions, we are moving our society forward.”