BCCRP’s session with BPD trainees in 2025
The Baltimore Cross-Community Reconciliation Project (BCCRP) team members—Kim Burton, Kellie Gaither, Gail Hambleton, Alan Inman, and Robin McDonough—conducted their ninth Our Shared Humanity session with Baltimore Police Department (BPD) trainees on June 16. In partnership with Gary Cordner, BPD’s Education and Training Section academic director and a BCCRP stakeholder, the sessions began in June 2024 and are held every 10 weeks during orientation. Each session focuses on building collaborative relationships between police officers and the communities they serve, grounded in dignity and respect.
In the divided world we live in today, the Our Shared Humanity session offers trainees a look at what the future can hold if they recognize our shared foundation as human beings rather than focusing on perceived differences. This process sounds simple and like something we all already know, but in fact, we do not always “live” within our deepest human identity, nor does our compassion always extend to all members of the human family. It is awe-inspiring to witness the trainees open up, learn about each other, and share personal experiences that otherwise would likely have gone untold. These discussions highlight the profound similarities we share as human beings based on shared universal principles and foster respect for each other.
“The most valuable part was getting to learn about my classmates and the different experiences.” —BPD Trainee
BCCRP’s Our Shared Humanity sessions with Baltimore Police Department trainees began in 2024
For the most part, the 38 trainees did not know each other. They are entering the police academy from all walks of life, each with their own reasons for becoming police officers in a city where relationships between officers and community members can be challenging. Their motivations for joining the BPD vary—ranging from serving the community to career stability to wanting to make a positive difference. Regardless of their individual reasons, they are united by a shared goal to help make Baltimore safe, peaceful, and socially cohesive.
Following “connection before content” activities designed for the trainees to learn more about their colleagues, an essential part of the session focused on “Identity-Based Conflict” and the “Us vs. Them” mentality. Leading a lively and engaging discussion, Alan Inman, senior GPF advisor and BCCRP co-coordinator, walked the trainees through the various dimensions of peace—peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding. He remarked, “Practically all conflict in the world can be seen through a lens based on identity.” Drawing on his lived experience growing up in segregated Wilson, North Carolina, Alan used a high school incident to illustrate the powerful role identity can play as a weapon for creating conflict.
Closing his presentation, he gave an overview of the Global Peace Foundation’s (GPF) four universal principles, grounded in the vision of One Family Under God. He noted that the “Us vs. Them” mentality can be resolved by adopting “a clear vision that encapsulates the essence of our common humanity, grounded in universal principles that support fundamental human rights as endowed by the Creator and the spiritual and moral essence of all people.”
After learning about GPF’s universal principles and engaging in a discussion on dignity, the trainees broke into facilitated small groups to discuss the principle that resonated with them and why it held personal meaning. They shared heartfelt experiences, sometimes traumatic, that had shaped their lives and, in some cases, influenced their decision to become police officers. The interactive 30-minute breakout session created a safe and brave space for the trainees to express themselves, actively listen, and learn more about their colleagues.
“The most valuable part of the session was allowing my classmates to express their opinions on the different principles.” —BPD Trainee
BCCRP’s session with BPD trainees in 2025
Rejoining the large group discussion, a spokesperson from each of the four breakout groups reflected on their key points, sometimes sharing personal stories. A trainee, addressing ways to prevent an “Us vs. Them” mentality, noted that this mindset is already occurring. He said, “It depends on how you look at it. It should never be ‘Us vs. Them’ because when we leave work, we become them.”
In a post-session survey, 95% of participants reported positive experiences and indicated that the session would help them in their work as police officers. This aligns with survey results collected since June 2025. The responses also reflected strong engagement and high content value, with trainees particularly appreciating the connection-building discussions and the sharing of personal stories.
Sessions such as Our Shared Humanity create an environment that celebrates differences while exploring the common foundation we share as human beings. They highlight the values and principles that support relationship-building between police officers and community members, which is essential for fostering sustainable peace and social cohesion within Baltimore’s community policing efforts. The BCCRP team will continue to deliver the Our Shared Humanity sessions to BPD trainees, with the tenth session scheduled for August 13.
“Talking about our values and how we can connect better with the community, we have more similarities than differences.” —BPD Trainee
If you’d like to learn more about the BCCRP—or explore meaningful opportunities to support or get involved—we welcome you to reach out at bcpc-inquiries@globalpeace.org.