Training Police to Address Hate Crime 

The new training manual on Training Against Hate Crimes for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) course draws on ODIHR’s 20 years of expertise in training police to improve their skills in recognizing, understanding and investigating hate crimes through a victim-centred approach. 

Browse the materials below to learn more about the role of police in addressing hate crime.
Contact ODIHR’s Hate Crime Team to explore options for implementing ODIIHR’s training programmes for police.

Why does it matter?

Police play a key role in efforts to address hate crime. When equipped with the tools and knowledge to recognize, identify and record hate crime cases, police are able to investigate them effectively and ensure that hate crime victims receive appropriate support and protection.

Who is the manual for?

ODIHR’s TAHCLE training is designed for training police and other law enforcement officials in effectively recognizing, recording, and investigating hate crimes and providing appropriate support to victims. The full curriculum is aimed at specialist hate crime officers but some core modules can be included in basic training on hate crime for all levels of police.

How does TAHCLE improve police responses to hate crimes?

Increases understanding of the extent and impact of hate crimes and reasons for under-reporting among targeted communities.
Provides clear guidance on the correct distinction between hate crime and ‘hate speech’ for more accurate hate crime recording.
Provides practical tools for the effective recording and investigation of hate crime cases to capture evidence of bias motivation.
Emphasizes a community-based policing approach and develops strategies for building trust in law enforcement and encouraging reporting.
Provides practical guidance on taking a victim-centred approach in hate crime cases and preventing secondary victimization.
Encourages cooperation with civil society organisations working with targeted communities.

Key features of the manual

• Modular structure — covers everything from stereotypes and the root causes of hate crimes, to key definitions and key investigative tools for law enforcement.
• Practical case studies — drawn from real contexts to sharpen skills in identifying, investigating, and gathering evidence for hate crime cases.
• Victim-centred approach —includes tools to understand diverse experiences and needs through intersectional perspectives.
• Interactive and participatory approach — includes instructions for group discussions, self-reflection, and hands-on exercises.
• Adaptable materials — easy to customize to local law, local community experiences, and different national contexts. 

Contact ODIHR’s Hate Crime Training Team

Email: hatecrimetraining@odihr.pl

ODIHR’s Hate Crime Training Team provides support in designing and implementing a training programme tailored to your specific needs, including as a comprehensive programme, selected training modules or a refresher training course.