Approximately 50 officers of the Cyprus Police took part in a three-day training programme in Nicosia from 14 to 16 October 2026, aimed at improving police responses to hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ people.
The training was organised in cooperation with the Council of Europe and focused on strengthening officers' ability to respond professionally to incidents motivated by prejudice and discrimination.
The seminar, titled "Policing Hate Crimes Against LGBTQ+ Persons: Training for a Professional Police Response", was led by Michail Lolis, a Council of Europe expert and officer with the Hellenic Police.
Representatives of civil society organisations, legal professionals and psychologists also participated in the programme.
During the training, participants examined the legal framework governing hate crimes and the procedures used to identify and investigate offences motivated by bias.
Particular emphasis was placed on:
The programme also highlighted the importance of strengthening trust between law enforcement authorities and the LGBTQ+ community.
According to the Cyprus Police, the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to provide continuous professional training and ensure incidents are handled effectively and without discrimination.
