02/27/2026
The Vermont Police Academy (VPA) proudly recognizes 100 years of celebrating Black History and the vital contributions, achievements, and struggles of Black Americans. As part of this commitment, the Academy also acknowledges the importance of understanding the historical and present‑day relationship between the Black community and law enforcement.
To deepen this understanding, the VPA Community Inclusion Director and the Fair and Impartial Policing Instructor in partnership with the Director of Training led a four‑week series of Black History Month learning sessions for the 121st Basic Academy class.
· Week 1 explored the history of Black people under U.S. law and policing, including slave codes and patrols, Black Codes, Jim Crow laws, the Civil Rights Era, and the development of Broken Windows policing.
· Week 2 focused on the modern context, examining racial disparities in policing and the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement as a community‑driven response.
· Week 3 introduced evidence‑based interventions shown to improve equity in policing, such as the legitimate reasons for a motor vehicle stop versus a pretextual stop, situational decision‑making training, co‑responder models, and strengthened accountability measures.
· Week 4 brought the learning together, giving recruits the opportunity to envision a healthier, safer, and more equitable future for policing. Working individually and collaboratively, they considered what law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and they themselves—as future officers—can do to advance that future.
The recruits were engaged, thoughtful, and committed throughout the sessions. The VPA is grateful for their willingness to learn and looks forward to seeing them carry these insights into their careers and communities.
