Thursday, 4/25/2024

**All Courses will be held in the Lower Conference Center**

"M2M American Stories of Cultural Change" | 8:00 - 10:00

Description:

This course examines the history of race relations and policing in the United States through historical stories of resiliency against oppression that reveal the roots of persistent inequalities and foster a deeper understanding of the issues facing our communities today. Participants will journey from America’s birth to the present day, while discovering how institutional racism and the laws, policies and practices in our country have historically disadvantaged people of color creating fear and mistrust. M2M explores individual behaviors, defines explicit and implicit bias, and provides practical strategies for how to identify and interrupt implicit bias in their lives and in their daily work. Through this historical and exploration, participants in M2M are challenged to make a commitment to create positive change through engagement and impartial police practices that collectively will help create safer communities for all people.

Presenters: Lee Vague and Dr. Shawn Moore, LETAC

Lee Vague, a former police chief and public safety director of a fast-growing Twin Cities suburb, brings more than 20 years of experience in leading public safety through cultural and organizational changes. He has taught leadership through coaching and mentoring throughout the state for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the City of St. Paul. He was a member of the working group that helped develop the MN POST in service-learning objectives on Recognizing and Valuing Diversity and Cultural Differences to Include Implicit Bias Training. He has trained hundreds of police officers, firefighters, and paramedics on the topic of cultural diversity, building trust and interrupting implicit bias. His work is driven by a passion to provide opportunities for people and organizations to reach their full potential and building safer communities for all people.

Dr. Shawn Moore is a former Police Officer for Brooklyn Center Police Department. He has 20 years of professional experience in the field of Cultural Competency, Conflict Resolution, and Community Engagement. This has included, working as a community liaison in the Mounds View School District, a community and cultural coordinator for North St. Paul School District, Coordinating the Scholars Program at Century College, and Director of community engagement and service learning at Bethel University, and Metro State University. He has taught in this field as an adjunct professor, senior Mall of America training officer, and community-training liaison. Shawn is currently a Volunteer State Mediator for Hennepin County. Throughout all of his work experience he has been tasked with the responsibility to teach and conduct cross-cultural, conflict resolution, and community engagement workshops and trainings. He also gained experience from his time living abroad which included living in Guam for 4 years. Also, Shawn spent significant time in Japan, Korea, China, the Philippines, Australia, and South Africa.

"A Journey on Wellness: Becoming the Best You" | 10:00 - 11:30

Description:

This course will examine trauma and wellness. Participants in will learn topics that include:

• Understanding how trauma exposure and stress may influence officer decisions and behavior.

• Discussing strategies that support good mental and physical health.

• Comprehend when help is needed and where to go to get help.

For years, mental and physical health were not discussed and trained on. The exposure of trauma related to has led to a host of personal and professional issues. The most important step is understanding what trauma is and how to avoid compliancy and cynicism. Participants will hear from an experienced prosecutor and trauma-centered social worker who will identify areas of trauma and provide participants with useful tools needed to prevent the trauma affecting them and their families.

Presenter:

Imran Ali is a shareholder with Eckberg Lammers and the Senior Director of Training, Consulting and Investigation Services. As a career long trial lawyer, he also focuses his practice on Complex Litigation, Personal Injury, and Municipal Prosecution.

Imran has been a trial attorney in the public sector for over 17 years. His extensive experience is recognized both in the courtroom and the community. Working extensively with victims of crime has provided Imran with the passion needed to succeed in the courtroom. He has handled some of the most complex cases, including homicide, rape, domestic violence, narcotics related and burglary cases.In 2014, he spearheaded the East Metro Human Trafficking Task force –one of the first trafficking task forces in the state of Minnesota. For the last five years, Imran has prosecuted national and international sex trafficking rings,trained and presented thousands of officers and prosecutors, helped draft legislation and testified for stiffer penalties for sex trafficking offenders.

Imran has spent much of his career engaging those employed within the criminal justice profession. From training new judges in the State of Minnesota at the University of Minnesota law school, to teaching law students at the Mitchell Hamline Law School, Imran enjoys engaging individuals as they chart their career path. Through this he has had the opportunity to train many law enforcement professionals and prosecutors nationally. As the Director of Law Enforcement Education and Training program he empowers participants in serving their communities with honor and integrity while being equipped with the appropriate tools in decision making. Imran is nationally and locally recognized for his work, receiving the Minnesota Attorney of the Year in both 2016 and 2020. He has also received other accolades within the state and area communities.

In his spare time, Imran enjoys spending time outdoors and with family, including his two dogs, Keith and Dustin. He is also a small business owner of,SotaPop, a small online retailer providing Minnesota inspired products.