The City Police took part in a round table session this morning about training security professionals in LGBTI+ awareness and identifying hate crime and discrimination, a key area for a safer and more respectful environment.
In 2008, when Barcelona hosted the 4th European Conference for Gay and Lesbian Police, the City Police approved the first protocol in the Spanish state to combat discriminatory attitudes and hate crimes.
A specific training plan was also developed to disseminate the protocol among the organisation as whole, along with special training for the Investigation Unit, the Victim Support Service (SAV) and Neighbourhood Police teams, which are a reference point for the public and associations.
Since then, the content of the protocol forms part of the essential training for new intakes by the corps, with all officers completing eight hours of training in this sphere.
Thanks to this internal training, the corps has increased its detection of discriminatory and hateful conduct, bringing more proceedings relating to sexual diversity. In addition, with the Office for Non-Discrimination and the Councillor’s Office for Feminism and LGBTI, more progress has been made to improve comprehensive support for victims of discrimination in the city.
The city’s police corps strengthens its commitment to non-discrimination in sessions such as the one this morning at the Gaylespol LGBTI+ Police Association (Barcelona LGBTI Centre), or through its presence at activities organised by different groups in the city.