This is in response to "New London police gearing up for unrest with request for riot gear" (Dec. 20). I have a better idea. Instead of buying riot gear to prepare for your "worst-case scenario," use the leadership you've been given to train your officers to not kill black people. Instead of gearing up to protect your officers from protesters, don't give the community anything to protest about. Your real worst-case scenario should be worrying about the potential loss of any more black lives (R.I.P. Lashano Gilbert). Your officer's best protection is prevention.

The public's reaction to the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and countless other people of color should be opening your eyes. But your focus is all wrong. Instead of purchasing gas masks and shields, put that money toward anti-bias training that will serve to protect both officers and the community. Teach your majority white force to view New London's black and brown residents as human beings, not "thugs."

If you aren't going to take training your officers seriously, you could at least have the decency to buy bullet-proof vests for all of the black and brown residents of New London. To quote you, "It's one of those things where it's better to have them and not need them."