Improving responses to hate crime focus of workshop co-organized by ODIHR and European Network of Police Women

Strengthening skills in recognizing and investigating hate crimes was at the centre of a train-the-trainer workshop for women police officers organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the European Network of Police Women (ENP) from 29 to 31 August 2018. The event was hosted by the Scottish Police College in Kincardine, the United Kingdom.

The workshop brought together 20 trainees from eight countries. Participants learned about ODIHR's definition of hate crime, international obligations related to hate crimes and techniques to recognize and investigate such crimes. 

"This training course is intended to further empower women police officers and help improve their knowledge and skills to ensure a robust response to hate crimes," said ODIHR Programme Officer Yulia Korysheva. "The workshop was also an opportunity for participants to share their expertise, personal experiences and best practises in addressing hate crimes."

ENP President Montserrat Pina said: "I am proud that our network was able to secure the participation of policewomen from countries across Europe, as well as officers from organizations representing minorities in law enforcement. Hate crime is now, more than ever, a matter of great concern in policing all over Europe. Training police officers and instructors who can then train members of their own forces is important to effectively deal with this growing problem."

The workshop was based on the curriculum of the Training against Hate Crime for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) programme, which has been implemented in 15 countries across the OSCE region.