Game Changer continues to provide opportunities for colleges and universities to serve as hubs for civic engagement while training members of law enforcement.

On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, the LMU Athletic Department hosted Game Changer event #130 on campus in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers and probation officers from the Los Angeles County Probation Department participated in a 3-hour moderated focus group with youth from Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization Brotherhood Crusade and currently incarcerated youths. The group of approximately 30 participants discussed problems within the criminal justice system and devise solutions together, three hours before the LMU Lions took on the Dixie State Bison (6 p.m. PT). At the conclusion of the focus group, all participants attended the game together to spend quality, casual time communicating while taking in the game.  This is the second in-person event LMU and Athletic Director, Craig Pintens, has hosted.  

The training event allowed participating police officers to earn 4 hours of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) continuing education units in Community Engagement/Building Trust. Participating probation officers earned 5 hours of California Standards and Trainng for Corrections (STC) continuing education units in Community Police and Communication. Game Changer training event also provide opportunities for members of the general public to receive training and insight into the concerns, objectives and priorities of members of law enforcement. Game Changer is the only entity in the state of California that utilizes sporting events and community residents to train members of law enforcement while collecting behavior change data.

Since December 2016, Game Changer has conducted 130 in-person and virtual training events in 10 different states and Canada. A total of 2,290 community residents and members of law enforcement have participated in the training events, including 57 unique law enforcement agencies on the local, state and federal levels.

Game Changer continues to provide opportunities for professional sports teams to serve as a hub for community engagement while training members of law enforcement.

On Wednesday, March 23, 2022, the Anaheim Ducks will host Game Changer event #127 in Anaheim, Calif. at Honda Center. Bureau Investigators and Deputy District Attorneys will participate in a moderated focus group with formerly incarcerated youths and adults. The group of approximately 25 participants will discuss problems within the criminal justice system and devise solutions together, three hours before the Ducks take on the Chicago Blackhawks (7 p.m. PT). At the conclusion of the focus group, all participants will attend the game together to spend quality, casual time communicating while taking in the game. 

The training event will allow DA Investigators to earn four hours of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) continuing education units in Community Engagement/Building Trust. The training event also provides an opportunity for members of the general public to receive training and insight into the concerns, objectives and priorities of criminal justice professionals. 

Since December 2016, Game Changer has conducted 126 in-person and virtual training events in 10 different states and Canada. A total of 2,215 community residents and members of law enforcement have participated in the training events, including 57 unique law enforcement agencies on the local, state and federal levels.

For more information on Game Changer and future events please visit www.GameChanger1.org

About the Anaheim Ducks 

The Anaheim Ducks were born in 1992 and played their first-ever game on Oct. 8, 1993 at Honda Center (then Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim). One of 32 NHL franchises located throughout the United States and Canada, the Ducks have played to over 90% capacity crowds in their history at the 17,174-seat Honda Center. On June 20, 2005, the Ducks franchise was purchased by Orange County residents Henry and Susan Samueli. By securing the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history in 2007, the club also became the first team from California to win hockey’s ultimate prize. The Ducks have reached the Conference Finals five times (2003, 2006, 2007, 2015 & 2017) and the Stanley Cup Final twice (2003 & 2007). The club has won six Pacific Divisions titles in franchise history, including five straight from 2013-17.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney Bureau of Investigations, and LA County District Attorney Bureau of Investigations Chief Robert Arcos, have reached a multi-event agreement with Game Changer that will feature DA Bureau Investigators and Deputy District Attorneys participating in the training events.  The Los Angeles-based California POST-accredited and STC-accredited  law enforcement/community relations program, will receive funding to conduct multiple training sessions during 2022.  

Each Game Changer event will be attended by up to four DA Investigators and up to four Deputy District Attorneys.  These events will allow DA Investigators to earn four hours of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) continuing education units in Community Engagement/Building Trust.  There is an effort underway for Game Changer to become Minimum Continuing Legal Education-certified (MCLE) in order for Deputy District Attorneys to earn continuing education units through Game Changer as well. 

“I want to thank Chief Arcos and the entire Bureau of Investigation for their dedication to the pursuit of justice with reverence for life and dignity for all,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said. “Game Changer brings prosecutors and investigators from my office together with community members, encouraging the kinds of conversations that are essential to advancing public safety in the 21st century.”

The first training event will be hosted by the Anaheim Ducks on March 23, 2022. Bureau Investigators and Deputy District Attorneys will participate in a moderated focus group with currently incarcerated juveniles thanks to the partnership Game Changer has with the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The group of approximately 25 participants will discuss problems within the criminal justice system and devise solutions together, 3 hours before the Ducks take on the Chicago Blackhawks. At the conclusion of the focus group, all participants will attend the game together to spend quality, casual time communicating while taking in the game. 

In addition to the training Investigators and Deputy District Attorneys will receive, the Bureau recognizes that Game Changer training events also provide safe space for  participating community residents to receive training and insight into the concerns, objectives, and priorities of criminal justice professionals through the moderated focus group discussions. 

Since December, 2016, Game Changer has conducted 126 in-person and virtual training events in 10 different states and Canada.  A total of 2,215 community residents and members of law enforcement have participated in the training events, including 57 unique law enforcement agencies on the local, state and federal levels.

The 2022 installment of the Annual Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation & Community Relations Building Bridges with Basketball Program, will once again include Game Changer as a partner organization.

Building Bridges with Basketball brings together local Los Angeles youth and members of local law enforcement to spend quality time communicating with one another followed by playing basketball together.  Due to Covid-19 concerns, the discussions will be virtually moderated by Game Changer Founder, Sean Sheppard, and social time will occur during subsequent Lakers home games at Crypto.com Arena.  Youth will not play basketball games with members of law enforcement this year.

Mr. Sheppard will virtually moderate discussions between juveniles and young adults from Project Blue, The Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), and several members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The Building Bridges with Basketball program did not occur in 2021 due to Covid-19.   Implicit Bias, Fair Treatment/Integrity, and Trust will be among the featured topics of discussion. 

The virtual events will occur on Thursday, February 3, 2022, Thursday, February 10, 2022, and Thursday, February 24, 2022.  All participants are invited to the Lakers Black History Month Celebration that will take place during the Lakers game on Sunday February 27, 2022.

For more information on Game Changer and future events please visit www.GameChanger1.org.

This article first appeared on SHOUTOUT LA.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sean Sheppard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sean, what is the most important factor behind your success?

Faith in God. I never planned to do any of the things I’ve done to serve the Southern California community. I simply reached a point in my life where I looked in the mirror and didn’t like who was staring back at me. I wanted to be the best person I could be, but it took a lot of time to figure out how to do that. 5 years later, I still didn’t like who I was, didn’t like what I was doing, and didn’t feel like I wanted to live anymore. I prayed for God to either take my life or change my life. That was 19 years ago, Since that time, I’ve done nothing but bring diverse groups of people together to collectively work toward improving relations and serving others.

Any “success” I’ve personally experienced has been a direct result of actions taken based on prayer asking to turn me into the best person I’m capable of being.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I utilize sporting events and community residents to train members of law enforcement in the art of communication and behavior change. The model, which is accredited by the state of California, is called Game Changer, and is the premiere law enforcement/community relations program in the country.

The program started with thoughts to end officer involved shootings and violence between law enforcement and communities of color in particular. It has been extremely challenging to convince members of government that they have a problem, that they are often the root of the problem, and that I have a never-before-done solution to the problem. Convincing community residents that it is worth their time to engage with the police has been difficult as well.

I am consistently overcoming challenges by remaining focused, remaining humble, believing that this work is what God created me to do, and that God will provide all the things, people, and circumstances that will allow me to do my part to solve this societal issue.

What do I want the world to know about me and my story? That in 2022, God is dope and that having faith in God is the best choice a person can make. It may not seem cool to others, but in the long run, people will be asking you how you got where you are. Your answer may inspire them to take a path that few choose to take: God’s path.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d go hiking at Runyon Canyon for sure. Coffee at Sip & Sonder in Inglewood has the goods and the vibe. Cholada Thai on PCH in Malibu has great food at a great price with a great view of the ocean across the street. Dessert at The Sweet Red Peach in Inglewood is a must, especially if you love Peach Cobbler like I do. The Metro Cafe in El Segundo for Sunday brunch is a solid choice. Checking out my boy perform at the Comedy Store in Hollywood is always a good time, and before Covid, The theatre at the Santa Monica Playhouse is great. Latin Jazz Saturdays at the LACMA was a must during the summer. Any concert at the Hollywood Bowl is a great experience. Sunday Church service at Empowered Faith LA.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Two books: The Bible and The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle are the two most influential things in my life. The Bible has taught me to raise my bar as it relates to how I think of myself, how I think of others, and how I treat others. It literally has a life lesson for every situation a person will encounter on this earth. The most important thing it teaches is to love one another. Period, end of sentence. Somehow too many people who call themselves Christians have forgotten that or never read it in the first place.

The Power of Now made me realize how chaotic my internal life was and how to quiet my mind. It taught me to focus on the moment and not to waste time fretting about the past or worrying about the future. From the moment I woke up in the morning, my mind would go from one thought to the next, nonstop, until I went to sleep. It was an affliction. My mind controlled me. Tolle’s book inspired me to learn how to meditate so that my mind would have ZERO thoughts – on command. Having an empty mind allows for many great, pure ideas of service to enter, and has kept toxic, harmful thoughts from residing there. The book changed my life.

Website: GameChanger1.org

Instagram: @GameChangerSean

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-sheppard-m-a-a474626/

Twitter: @GameChangerSean

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalGameChanger

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheOriginalGameChangerNominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

LOS ANGELES, CA – The founder of the Game Changer, the nation’s premiere law enforcement/community relations behavior change model, Sean Sheppard, has launched and hosts, Cops & Convicts with Sean Sheppard. The raw, in-person/virtual show typically brings together retired members of law enforcement and convicted felons for moderated discussions about their lives and experiences inside the criminal justice system.  The purpose is to allow viewers to see each group as human beings and provide the space for them to share their experiences and offer solutions to problems they’ve seen in person. Full episodes and interview clips can be viewed on the Cops & Convicts YouTube Channel.

The first Cops & Convicts episode was filmed at Pink Cloud Studios in Los Angeles on November, 23, 2021, and featured retired LAPD Lieutenant, Gena Brooks, and Ken Kuczwaj, who was incarcerated for his role in the infamous DFJ Italia Ponzi scheme of the early 2000’s.  The second episode was also filmed at Pink Cloud Studios, on December 21, 2021, and features a 1 on 1 interview with the only living co-founder of the DFJ Italia Ponzi scheme, Angelo Ales, a 7-time convicted felon and made member of the Bonanno Crime Family.

The podcast has two sponsors and will resume filming episodes in January, 2022.

By Jeanette Steele

They were Muslims, Jews, veterans. Recovering drug addicts and people just off the streets.

But, on St. Patrick’s Day, they were all a little Irish.

The corned beef at Veterans Village of San Diego yesterday was prepared by Jewish and Muslim students from San Diego State University, in the first partnership between two college groups that represent cultures at war elsewhere in the world.

Spirits were light.

“It’s interesting for me, personally. I’ve never prepared corned beef!” said Saba Araya Michael, 23, vice president of the Muslim Student Association.

But the underlying principle was serious.

“We feel it’s important to show the community and the world that although there are political aspects that show rifts between our two groups, that there still are a lot of similarities,” said Michelle Golan, 21, Jewish Student Union president.

“Culturally, our groups do have a lot in common, and we’re able to connect on that.”

The two student associations started talking last year and began planning a fast-a-thon to bring attention to world hunger. It takes place today.

Embrace, a San Diego nonprofit that encourages college students to volunteer, organized the St. Patrick’s Day meal. Downtown San Diego and La Jolla hotels donated the ingredients, and College Area diner D.Z. Akins donated house salad dressings.

Embrace founder Sean Sheppard said he was touched by the students’ partnership when they called him about donating fast-a-thon proceeds to his group.

“They were already setting an example before I met them,” said Sheppard, who often focuses on helping the homeless.

He didn’t choose St. Patrick’s Day for the event on purpose, but he said he enjoys the irony.

“I have Muslim and Jewish groups coming together on a Catholic holiday,” Sheppard said, laughing. But he added, “It’s not about religious beliefs. It’s about serving a population that’s in need.”

Sophomore Kacey Kurpinsky, 20, agreed. Kurpinsky was helping chop vegetables for a salad, while other students — sporting hair nets and paper hats — scooped cooked cabbage from a giant pot.

“What matters is that we’re American students helping American veterans,” she said.

The 155 residents of Veterans Village, in San Diego on Pacific Highway, are former service members getting treatment for substance abuse in a yearlong program.

Chief Executive Phil Landis said the veterans appreciate the efforts of the student groups, a segment of the population they don’t often see. More typical volunteers are church and civic groups during the winter holidays.

“It’s truly exciting and rewarding for the residents when we have volunteers from the community who choose to spend their time in support of the veterans that we serve,” Landis said.

Many of these veterans used to live on the streets. Most are 40 to 60 years old.

Former sailor Domenic Watts, 21, is the exception. Watts struggled with alcohol and ended up homeless.

Watts said he heard about recent racial tensions at the University of California San Diego. Especially in contrast to that, he said he appreciates the Jewish and Muslim student groups working together.

“What they are trying to represent, at any level, is positive,” he said.

This article first appeared in The San Diego Union-Tribune