The Speaker

Lorenzo M. Boyd, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized leader in police-community relations and an authority on urban policing, diversity issues in criminal justice, race and crime, and criminal justice systems. He currently serves as the Stewart Professor of Criminal Justice and Community Policing, former Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion, and former Director of the Center for Advanced Policing for the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven. He effectively translates research and theory into practice, making him a sought-after consultant, trainer, and speaker for departments and communities across the country. He previously served for 14 years as a Sheriff’s Deputy in the Suffolk County (Mass.) Sheriff’s Department which shaped his approach to teaching, research, and training of police commanders and officers.

While working as an associate professor and graduate coordinator of criminal justice at Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C., the city’s police chief asked him to create a community-policing program. After observing the community’s high levels of unemployment, drug use, and transience, and lack of after-school programs, Dr. Boyd recommended the city first develop a community-wellness program.

As an adviser to the Fayetteville police chief for eight years, he worked with city agencies to make numerous improvements and held community-police forums where residents could talk about complaints including concerns about racial profiling, and police officers could share their own experiences. He then created a community-policing program that included training modules for sworn and non-sworn personnel on topics including ethics and leadership; researched and developed new evidence-based policing strategies; and assisted with officer recruitment.

Through his private company, RENZ Consulting, LLC, Dr. Boyd conducts professional development training with a central focus on building levels of empathy, lived experience, and cultural competence among police personnel, working with police leaders across the country to determine training needs and develop interactive professional development sessions that include real-life scenarios and role play.

A former president of the Academy of Criminal Justice Science and a life member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Dr. Boyd led a 2019 study addressing issues of racism, bias, and police and community relations at Yale University after a white graduate student called the police to report a black graduate student who was asleep in a residence hall common room. He is a published author and dedicated trainer. Earning his Ph.D. from Northeastern University (Boston) in sociology with a concentration in Urban Policing, he also holds Masters and Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Massachusetts.

Dr. Boyd is a recipient of NABLEO's 2025 Chairman's Award

The Workshop

Policing in The U.S.-Past, Present and Future : Friday, September 26, 2025 01:00P

This session presents a comprehensive and timely examination of the current state of American policing. Presented from a social justice perspective, it offers a fresh and balanced look at contemporary issues in law enforcement, challenges participants to think critically, illuminates problems in policing, and explore workable solutions. With a focus on accountability and professional responsibility, the presentation delves into controversial topics such as defunding the police, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the use of technology in policing. Drawing on real-life examples and legal cases, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by police agencies today. Whether you're a student, professional, or simply interested in the field, this engaging and thought-provoking presentation will reshape your perspective on modern policing and inspire further exploration.