LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers are the first professional sports team to become a formal Game Changer community partner. The storied NBA franchise has reached an agreement with the nonprofit to conduct a series of five (5) virtual Game Changer training events between Los Angeles-based law enforcement agencies and Los Angeles County residents. Lakers Legends will be among the LA community resident participants.
Game Changer, a Los Angeles-based, California POST-accredited law enforcement/community relations program, has gone virtual due to the impact COVID-19 has had on the country, and sports in particular. The model features training members of law enforcement and community residents through moderated focus groups that occur three hours before the start of collegiate and professional sporting events. Game Changer aligns with the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation’s Building Bridges Through Basketball program that brings together LAPD officers and at-risk Los Angeles youth to dialogue and play basketball.
Participating members of California law enforcement that possess a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) ID# will receive continuing education units in Community Policing and Interpersonal Communication, making the Lakers one of the first professional sports teams to play a direct role in training members of law enforcement through the utilization of community residents.
Game Changer CEO, Sean Sheppard summed up the new partnership. “From the moment I met her, Lakers Youth Foundation Executive Director, Kiesha Nix made clear how serious the Lakers are about the role they play in improving law enforcement/community relations in Los Angeles. This partnership demonstrates their continued level of commitment to the community residents and the women and men that wear the badge in Los Angeles County.”
Game Changer is a data proven, national law enforcement/community relations model that formally trains law enforcement and community residents in Community Policing and Interpersonal Communication. It has effectively changed perceptions and changed behavior of the 1100+ participants that have participated in the program across the country. The goals of the program are to bring about more peaceful interactions between members of law enforcement and community residents, educate, and provide a road map for reform where applicable.