Diversity Training – RHVP
This week, the Regina Police Service Cultural and Community Diversity Unit and Egale Canada are delivering training sessions for all employees on the Report Homophobic Violence, Period Program or RHVP. This is part of the Service’s ongoing commitment to enhanced Cultural/Diversity Training, delivered bi-annually, as outlined in the Regina Police Service’s Strategic Plan, 2011-2014. http://www.reginapolice.ca/strategicplan.php
Egale Canada’s RHVP program engages police services and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) communities in the hopes of improving the lives of LGBT people affected by hate crimes, reducing hate-based victimization for the entire community, and building a safer atmosphere where victims of hate crimes have renewed confidence that police will investigate their concerns thoroughly while treating them with respect and understanding. The program has a particular focus on youth, contributing to School Resource Officers’ knowledge to help them address hate crime and bullying in schools.
This week’s training includes a community information session this evening and police training sessions all week. The police training sessions provide officers and civilian staff with tools to help them effectively identify and understand hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity, to proactively engage members of the LGBT communities, and to facilitate a renewed community confidence in police services in order to increase victims’ willingness to report.
Members of the media who wish to report on this training and/or interview presenters is asked to contact Elizabeth Popowich at (306)777-6364 or 535-3972.