A series of webinars focusing on the reimagination of police practices and the social justice system kicks off on Tues., Feb. 16 thanks to a collaboration between The Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute, the Anselmian Network for Racial Justice, the Criminal Justice Department and the Office of Alumni Relations. Featured panelists include alumni, staff, faculty, and subject matter experts. Additional discussions will take place on March 16 and April 6.
As the core values at Saint Anselm College embody engagement within the community, the pursuit of justice, and fostering human understanding, event organizers hope this webinar series will allow students, faculty, and staff to have a better understanding of what it means to be Anselmian in the community.
“We have learned at the Grappone Humanities Institute that the most effective way to fulfill our mission is partnering with people from across the campus and the community to engage people in vital conversations that are both timely and timeless. The ‘Reimaging Justice’ series is a perfect example of that kind of collaboration,” says Executive Director of the Humanities Institute and English Professor Gary Bouchard.
Bouchard explains “we have an impressive line-up of speakers and panelists” as each webinar is hosted by three different keynote speakers as well as a panel of practitioners including alumni working in law enforcement, prosecution, criminal defense, and social services. The webinars will encourage participants to consider how these current events surrounding policing and the social justice system are impacting our communities.
Kathleen O’Toole, Esq., the first female Commissioner of the Boston Police Department is the first keynote speaker at the Feb. 16 event. O’Toole is President of O’Toole Associates, an international consulting firm specializing in justice reform, and is a partner at 21st Century Policing Solutions.
The other panelists include: Robin Melone, Esq., partner at Wadleigh, Starr and Peters, and president of the NH Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Ronelle Tshiela - Co-founder of Black Lives Matter Manchester, and Rob Browne '95, Director of Campus Safety and Security at Saint Anselm College, Former Chief of Goffstown Police Department.
“We have already surpassed our goal of having over a hundred participants registered for the first webinar and we look forward to helping out students engage in this issue in an informed and thoughtful way,” said Bouchard.
Event Information
Webinar on Tuesday, February 16
First Encounters: Police Stops and Race
Keynote: Kathleen O'Toole
Webinar on Tuesday, March 16, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Keeping Watch: Surveillance and Race
Keynote: Julian Jefferson, Esq.
WEBINAR TUESDAY, APRIL 6th, 7:00 to 8:30 PM
New Directions in Policing: Responding to Community Needs
Keynote: Honorable John T. Broderick, Jr.
All three webinars will be free and open to the public and more details will be forthcoming regarding each webinar. The webinar series will be hosted and moderated by Professor Peter Cordella from the Saint Anselm Criminal Justice Department. For more information contact: Gary Bouchard, Executive Director of the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute, ghi@anselm.edu
In the spirit of Gregory Grappone, ’04, the Grappone Humanities Institute at Saint Anselm College reaches across our campus and surrounding communities to engage people of all backgrounds with questions and ideas that arise from our common and uncommon experiences. We do so in the determined hope that, like Greg, we can know the enduring consolations and wisdom that spring from the rich variety of arts and humanities in our world, and better understand the meaning and purpose of our lives.