The Law Enforcement and Refugee Community Partnerships Conference, held Tuesday, May 25, at Buffalo State College, brought together law enforcement personnel, refugee leaders, and refugee resettlement agency representatives for a day of cultural awareness and crime prevention training.
A follow up to the Refugee and Law Enforcement Conference, held on campus in June 2008, such topics as “Understanding Bias and Stereotypes,” “How to Work Together Through Relationship Building,” and “Basic Crime Prevention for Refugees” were covered. 
Refugee leaders representing communities from Rwanda, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Somalia, and many other countries were in attendance. Trainers included Linda Ortiz, a conciliation specialist for the U.S. Department of Justice; Sam Lunetta, lieutenant, University Police (retired); and James Murphy, lieutenant, Canisius College Public Safety. 
Feedback and comments solicited from attendees of this invitation-only event suggested that this type of training should be provided to recruits in police academies, sworn law enforcement officers, school teachers and administrators, and emergency personnel. 
The conference was organized by the College and Community Partnerships Office and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, Buffalo State College University Police, and Continuing Professional Studies.