Active listening shall mean a process by which parties reach a peaceful resolution to a dispute, including through the skills of:
managing stress quickly while remaining alert and calm;
controlling emotions and behavior;
paying attention to the words and feelings expressed by others; and
being aware of and respecting differences.
Cadet or Police Cadet shall mean the term as defined in Section 18-186.11(a)(1) of this Subtitle.
Civic engagement shall mean participation by community members in social and political processes designed to communicate ideas, values, and beliefs, and to promote legal, political, or social change.
Community policing shall mean a policing strategy to develop trusting relationships with the community, and to work in partnership with the community to address crime, public safety, and quality of life issues.
Health shall mean a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Police academy shall mean the entry-level police training academy required by the Department for all prospective police officers.
Policing history shall mean a social, political, and historical understanding of why and how policing developed in the United States, including an examination of the transitional eras of policing (Political Era, Reform/Professional Era, and Community Era) and the structural changes that occurred under each of those eras since the mid nineteenth century.
Racial equity shall mean changes in policy, practice and allocation of County resources so that racial constructs do not predict one's success, while also improving opportunities and outcomes for all people.
Social justice shall mean that everyone deserves to benefit from the same economic, political and social rights and opportunities, free from health disparities, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, age, sex — including on the basis of gender identity or orientation, religion, disability, or other characteristics.
Wellness shall mean a positive approach to living.
The Department must collaborate and partner with local educational institutions and a Prince George's County based non-profit organization with a minimum of four (4) years of experience working on police reform and criminal justice issues to:
expand the recruitment of police cadets who reflect the diversity of the County;
sponsor communication sessions with prospective cadets and community members; and
develop internship programs for prospective cadets.
Prior to the commencement of field training, a member of the police academy must complete a program regarding community services and social justice.
The program must consist of 30 hours or their equivalent.
The program must be designed, in collaboration and partnership with one or more local educational institutions and a Prince George's County based non-profit organization with a minimum of four (4) years of experience working on police reform and criminal justice issues, to develop competency in the topics of:
racial equity and social justice;
health and wellness;
community policing;
policing history;
active listening and conflict resolution; and
civic engagement.
In selecting an applicant for admission into the police academy, the Department must consider:
the applicant's performance in the program under this subsection; and
the applicant's performance in any implicit bias test required by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.
The Department must collaborate and partner with local educational institutions, national law enforcement professional organizations, and a Prince George's County based non-profit organization with a minimum of four (4) years of experience working on police reform and criminal justice issues to provide continuing education, as demonstrated by the awarding of Continuing Education Units (CEU's) or similar credentialing indicating content mastery:
to all County police officers regarding:
socially just policing and community engagement; and
emerging topics in law enforcement, including cybersecurity, human trafficking, and proactive community engagement;
to executive-level police officers regarding leadership and management challenges in socially just policing; and
to new police sergeants regarding supervisory skills, with a focus on community policing, mentorship, and ethical leadership.
The training provided under this Section must incorporate to the extent practicable, and must comply with, the requirements of the Public Safety Article of the Maryland Code, including the Maryland Use of Force Statute.