For Immediate Release: 1/16/2025 2:49 pm
WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester Police Department’s (WPD) Academy Class 1-25, which began the week of Jan. 13, is the first class to participate in the new Community Policing and DEI-Focused Curriculum for new Student Officers, as developed in partnership with the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (EODEI).
The new curriculum is implemented across 12 sessions, spread over the Academy’s six month-span. Key topics include the history and evolution of policing and its impact on marginalized communities, the socialization of individuals, understanding microaggressions, understanding and mitigating bias, and the importance of community engagement in policing.
The DEI curriculum will be incorporated into the full WPD Academy program, which also includes training in criminal and constitutional law, de-escalation, motor vehicle stops, firearms, patrol procedures, first responder medical training, and fair and impartial policing, in addition to intense mental and physical training.
“This new curriculum is focusing on community policing through a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice lens, emphasizing respect, equity, and cultural humility in interactions with all residents,” said Chief Equity Officer Kevin Lovaincy. “It is one of several initiatives being implemented in partnership with WPD to improve training, policies, and practices to ensure our officers are equipped to handle the diverse needs of our community.”
“As always, the Worcester Police Department is looking to enhance training and follow best practices throughout Massachusetts and the country,” said Interim Police Chief Paul Saucier. “Having worked with Kevin Lovaincy on this project, I am grateful that we will be able to add this training to the academy’s rigorous curriculum.”
The DEI curriculum was approved by the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee, which oversees training standards of municipal police officers. The Academy training program is led by Worcester Police officers and officials who are experts in the field and certified academy instructors, and Lovaincy is facilitating the new DEI sessions. Following the completion of the Academy, graduate officers will continue to receive DEI-informed trainings as well as follow-up resources and support.
“This new curriculum is a great partnership and effort between the Worcester Police Department and Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “It is one of several initiatives we are undertaking to ensure that the police department continues to equitably serve its residents and that the department is constantly adapting as community needs change. I commend both departments for their collaborative work and I look forward to seeing the results.”
City Manager Batista previously charged the EODEI and WPD to develop a comprehensive set of initiatives designed to address both the findings of the previously conducted WPD racial equity audit and the Department of Justice report. The DEI curriculum follows the previously announced hotline to report alleged misconduct. In addition, the Chief Equity Officer is now a member of the WPD Policy Review Board to provide a DEI perspective when reviewing policy and potential updates to ensure they align with equity and inclusion goals.
“These are just a few of the action steps we have already put in place, with additional measures in development,” said Lovaincy. “We will continue to strengthen partnerships between law enforcement, community organizations, and residents to foster a culture of trust and collaboration. We recognize that building trust takes time, and we validate people’s lived experience, and we are fully committed to this process.”
The class of 19 student officers is expected to graduate at the end of June.
