The Speaker

David Hernandez is a Boston Police officer, Co-Founder/ Co-Chair of the Latino Law Enforcement Group of Boston (LLEGO Boston), and founder of Hunger Happens, a non profit organization created to bring awareness to homelessness and hunger issues in our communities.

Born and raised in the City of Boston, he has participated in a variety of programs where he learned that youth can grow when exposed to positive role models. Because of this he is a firm believer that building bridges and having conversations with our youth provides a safe environment where our communities can prosper. In turn, in his role as a police officer, he has participated in youth empowerment programs in both schools and organizations throughout the city.

Such events include Racism Talks: Together We Walk and the MBLA Know Your Rights event where youth and community can have an open dialogue about the impact of race and civil rights. David often speaks at events about his and his family's experience of police brutality. It is part of what drives him to help change the culture of policing and hold all police officers accountable for their improper actions.

David strives to provide an exemplary role for police officers in his community. He has shown examples of this by helping to create The Pre-Academy Training (PAT) program, a first of its kind, ten-week program that combines lectures, workshops, and physical training designed to give participants an experience similar to entering a law enforcement academy. This program is helping the next generation of police officers understand the importance of bias free policing and developing relationships with the community they serve.

The Workshop

Hiring and Recruitment Challenges in Policing : Thursday, October 05, 2023 03:00P

Across the nation, the challenges police departments face in retaining and recruiting officers are alarming – a staffing crisis exacerbated by retirements and resignations, as well as high-profile killings that have put policing under increased scrutiny and made it a frequent target of protests and calls for budget cuts. This training will focus on the importance of recruitment and meeting the community where they are.