Grand Strand law enforcement officials were told during a two-day U.S. Department of Justice training this week to make sure the natural biases everyone develops through life experiences does not negatively impact their police work.

Grand Strand officials say the training is important to have not only going into Memorial Day weekend, but to use year-round.

“For our jurisdiction, we have diversity training yearly and we’ll continue having it,” said Myrtle Beach police Capt. Kevin Heins.

This week’s training is part of a comprehensive plan to ready officers for Memorial Day weekend, when tens of thousands of people come to the area for Atlantic Beach Bikefest, Memorial Day events or to take advantage of a three-day holiday weekend.