Graduates of the two-day program were expected to serve as role models and help improve the department's “capacity to attract and retain a diverse workforce,” according to an internal email from 2019 obtained by the AP.
Smith said hundreds of employees have taken the training, but it was unclear if all of them were placed on leave. She said many people were under the impression the training was strongly encouraged or required.
“It seems unfair to encourage or require people to take a training and then four or five years later place them on administrative leave,” Smith said.