How do you tackle
a case of hidden bias?
In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, misconceptions about Sikh Americans made them the target of hate crimes. Mistaken beliefs about Sikhs as “terrorists” were underscored when they were subjected to heightened security at traffic stops, airports and racially profiled because of their articles of faith including the turban, beard, and ceremonial sword.
The Department of Justice's Community Relations Service (CRS) wanted to address this issue swiftly. It tackled the case of hidden bias by educating law enforcement on the cultural and religious practices of Sikhism.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service serves as “America’s Peacemaker” addressing racial, ethnic and religious tensions in communities across the United States.
CLear away misbeliefs and misconceptions
Our job was to boost cultural competency and deliver an effective training resource for law enforcement agencies nationwide. Our investigative work covered a variety of areas. We researched the subject by examining previous DOJ training videos and studying a wide range of documents to inform our production.
To identify common misconceptions, gain insights and distill key points, we worked with a broad constituency. Stakeholders included members of the community, national advocacy groups as well as local, state and federal law enforcement officials.
"Having knowledge of a culture and what to expect from it is very important. This increases safety of the officer and safety of the general community."
Chief Mary Ann Viverette
Past President
International Association of Chiefs of Police
build shared trust through understanding
To bring prevailing misinformation to light, we projected the personal experience of Sikhs into the public sphere. We established context in our opening scene by selecting the Jefferson Memorial with proximity to the White House and National Mall. To engage the audience and move the story forward, we created an interwoven narrative with voice over, dramatized vignettes and 3D animation.
Our approach focused on building trust through an understanding of sensitive cultural and religious issues. The scenario based training emphasized respectful treatment of individuals and enabled officers to respond more effectively to real word situations. By providing information and skills to reduce unconscious bias, the film helped strengthen relationships between law enforcement agencies and their communities.
“It’s a post 9/11 world where we are under different stresses. The reality is misconceptions can lead to a lot circumstances that are law enforcement oriented.”
David Baker
Police Department
Montgomery County, Maryland
Gain knowledge
to counter stereotypes
On Common Ground is an essential law enforcement training resource. It has heightened awareness about Sikhs, mitigated misconceptions and helped foster police-community relations. By providing the knowledge to counter stereotypes, this program has helped increase trust and safety.
The video lives on the U.S. Department of Justice website as a tool to improve cultural competency for law enforcement officials, airport personnel and various communities across the United States.
