Stakeholder Consultation Report on the Council of Europe’s Training Manual Review: Policing Hate Crime against LGBTI Persons
In a significant collaborative effort, the Council of Europe’s cornerstone Training Manual titled "Policing Hate Crime against LGBTI Persons: Training for a Professional Police Response," initially published in 2017, was the focus of a critical review process. This process was conducted through a stakeholder consultation on 18th and 19th March 2024 at the LGBTI Centre in Barcelona, co-organised by the European LGBT Police Association (EGPA) and Gaylespol. The event aimed to evaluate the manual's effectiveness and relevance in aiding law enforcement personnel across Europe to combat hate crimes against LGBTI individuals more efficiently.
The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including trainers, course participants, and representatives from LGBTI NGOs, to discuss the manual’s current impact and potential areas for enhancement. Notably, the police officers in attendance were members of EGPA, representing various European law enforcement entities such as Policia de la Generalitat-Mossos d'Esquadra, Italia Police, France Police, Sabadell Police, Guardia Urbana de Barcelona, Luxemburg Police, Netherlands Police, Murcia Police, Poland Police and Swedish Police. Their participation underscored the collective commitment to improving professional police responses to LGBTI hate crimes.
Key Findings:
Adapting to Change: The dynamic nature of hate speech and crimes, along with the increased visibility and targeting of LGBTI individuals, calls for an updated manual that reflects current challenges and incorporates the latest law enforcement practices.
Intersectionality: The workshop participants highlighted the need for the manual to address the complex realities of LGBTI individuals, particularly how LGBTI-phobia intersects with other forms of discrimination and intolerance.
Enhanced Practicality: There was a unanimous call for the incorporation of more practical guidelines, exercises, and case studies to facilitate the application of knowledge in real-world policing of LGBTI hate crimes.
Expertise and Professionalism: The high level of engagement and professionalism demonstrated by EGPA members during the workshop reflected the depth of expertise within the association, driving forward the conversation on enhancing law enforcement training.
Recommendations:
The consultation strongly advocates for the revision of the existing manual and suggests the consideration of a supplementary volume. This new material would incorporate the latest insights and methodologies for effectively addressing and preventing hate crimes against LGBTI persons, with a particular focus on the evolving landscape of hate speech and crime.
The collaborative effort between EGPA, Gaylespol, and other stakeholders during this workshop marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing endeavor to ensure European law enforcement agencies are well-equipped with the most effective tools and knowledge to combat hate crimes against LGBTI individuals. The insights and recommendations garnered from this consultation will serve as a crucial foundation for the forthcoming updates to the Council of Europe’s Training Manual, reinforcing its role as an essential resource in promoting a professional and empathetic police response to LGBTI hate crimes.
Report by Manuel Peinado, EGPA Training Ambassador.