Hate Crime training material for Officers

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.25.044250

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. Copy of most recent December 2024, MET training materials officers undergo in identifying/ investigating hate crime offenses
2. Copy of most recent December 2024, MET training materials officers undergo in identifying/ investigating antisemitic offenses
3. I request The number of Antisemitism offense’s reported to the MET between 1 January 2014 and 23 December 2024. I request this data in a digital format e.g excel spreadsheet
   
    I wish to clarify the following;
4. What training do MET officers undergo in identifying/ investigating hate crime offenses?
5. What training do MET officers undergo in identifying/ investigating antisemitic offenses?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose some of the requested information. Some data has been withheld as it is exempt from disclosure and therefore this response serves as a Refusal Notice under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) by virtue of the following exemptions:

Section 40(2)(3)(a)(b) – Personal Information

Reason for decision

Some of the information you have requested is exempt under the following exemption:

Section 40(2)(3)(a)(b) – Personal Information

Details in relation to individual’s names, images and contact details have been removed from the attached documents. This information is exempt from disclosure as it is considered personal information.

Section 40(2)(3)(a)(b) - of the Act provides that any information to which a request for information relates, is exempt information if the first condition of Section 40(3A)(a) is satisfied. The first condition of Section 40(3A)(a) states that personal information is exempt if its disclosure would contravene any of the data protection principles. If the disclosure of the requested personal data would not contravene the data protection principles, the disclosure must also not contravene Sections 3A(b) and 3B of the Act.

There are six principles that are set out in Article 5(1)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) that dictate when the processing of personal data is lawful. The first principle requires that any processing of personal data must be lawful, fair and transparent. Under Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR, the disclosure of personal data is considered to be lawful if:

a. There is a legitimate interest in the disclosure of that personal data.
b. The disclosure of the personal data is necessary to meet that legitimate interest.
c. The disclosure would not cause unwarranted harm to the data subject.

The names, images and contact details of the individuals captured in these documents, would not reasonably expect their information to be published in response to an Freedom of Information Act request. I have not therefore identified a legitimate interest that would be satisfied in disclosing their personal data in response to this request for information.

Disclosure

Please find below documents in relation to your FoIA request.

Under UK legislation, antisemitism is addressed as a specific form of hate crime, therefore the following learning includes the recognising, preventing and responding to antisemitism as part of broader hate crime awareness.

You will note that some of the pages on the attached documents may not run concurrently, the reason for this is because of the redactions as mentioned above. In addition, lesson plans and training notes have also been removed as they do not fall within the scope of your request.

Please find details below of learning undertaken by officers and staff (as appropriate to their role) including Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s), Police Constable Recruits in respect of Hate Crime, Police Officers transitioning to being Detectives (Trainee Detective Constables or T/DC’s) and Detectives working on, or moving to, the Community Safety Unit (CSU) in Safeguarding that investigates a large portion of any Hate Crime allegation (including antisemitism allegations).

Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s)

The training for PCSOs is designed to empower them to challenge bias, prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping in their roles:

• A key focus of this training is ensuring that PCSOs understand the impact of hate and discrimination based on personal characteristics, particularly on their fellow officers. They will explore the emotional and social consequences of such behaviour, including the potential effects on family and friends. Additionally, they will discuss how personal attitudes, values, and biases can influence policing practices and interactions with the community. The training also delves into the cultural considerations associated with certain public protection offenses, particularly those involving repeated hate crimes, where PCSOs may be required to provide support to victims. As crimes of this nature should be investigated by either Police Constables or Detectives, they do not have specific training in investigation of Hate Crime, but awareness is provided throughout various modules as to the impact on individuals and the community of all types of major crimes, including Hate crime allegations.

Due to how this training has been designed, in line with College of Policing requirements, there is no one specific input that we can show that specifically addresses Hate Crime or antisemitism. The Learning Outcomes for PCSO programme can be obtained from the College of Policing.

PC Foundation – IPLDP Plus

Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP+). This programme has existed since 2021 but is being phased out, with the last cohorts still being trained at Hendon and Marlowe House by the Metropolitan Police Service.

This is a 17-week course that covers a wide range of subjects, including areas around challenging inappropriate and discriminatory language and actions within the MPS and its impact on themselves, colleagues, the MPS and wider community.

Additionally, there is specific input on Hate Crime Characteristics (0081 Hate Crime Characteristics), Hate Crime Legislation (0082 Hate Crime Legislation) and Responding to a Hate Crime Incident (0083 Hate Crime Responding to an Incident).

• 0081 Hate Crime Characteristics – this lesson plan and PowerPoint introduce the Student Officers to the terminology and prepares them for the theory session around the legislation. The length of the lesson is approximately two hours. The learning outcomes covered are to explain the characteristics and terminology associated with Hate Crime, describe the five monitored strands of Hate Crime and explain the government’s recognised description of Hate Crime. This is achieved by a variety of methods including discussion, group work and case study.

• 0082 Hate Crime Legislation – this lesson and PowerPoint introduces Student Officers to the primary legislation and law associated with ‘hate crime’ and lasts approximately two hours. The learning outcomes covered are Interpret and explain definitions, legislation associated with ‘public protection-hate crime’ and religious hate, identify legislation use to define racial or religiously aggravated hate crime and identify and interpret law that deals with incitement.

• 0083 Hate Crime Responding to an Incident – this Lesson plan and PowerPoint introduces Student Officers as to the appropriate responses required through Authorised Professional Practice, MPS Mission and standards as well as any local priorities, lasting approximately two hours thirty minutes. There are various discussion points and group work that take student officers through the learning outcomes of identify national and local guidance in response to hate crime incidents, identify and relate the most appropriate referral mechanisms to support victims of hate crime, interpret and explain the Met's hate crime mission and MPS Mission and describe the initial response for police forces and some partner agencies to take upon notification of a suspected incident of hate crime. Additionally, student officers will engage in tasks that identify the barriers communities face when reporting hate crime and explore methods to support and encourage victims and third parties to report incidents.

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA)

As with IPLDP+ this programme was introduced in 2021, in combination with Babcocks and three Higher Educational Institutes (HEI’s). The programme for student officers is identical to IPLDP+ in many areas. The lessons on Hate crime follow the same learning outcomes, lesson plans and methods.
This continues to be taught at the HEI’s.

PCEP (Police Constable Entry Programme) and DCEP (Detective Constable Entry Programme)

The new entry programmes authorised by the College of Policing are PCEP and DCEP and replaces IPLDP+. The first year is currently being delivered and the lesson on Hate Crime is identical for both programmes. As with other areas of this training there is no specific focus on antisemitism.

• This lesson aims to allow student officers to identify relevant hate crime legislation, examine the role of a constable in investigating and responding to hate crime and hate incidents. It covers the following learning outcomes of identify relevant hate crime legislation and definitions, understand how to respond to these incidents and apply legislation to given scenarios and questions. This lasts approximately two hours ten minutes.

Trainee Detectives (PIP2)

For existing police officers wishing to transition to become detectives, we run a programme PIP2 (Professionalising Investigations Programme level 2) for Trainee Detectives. This has some input into Hate Crime, though again not primarily focussing on any specific hate crime. Within this some elements cover Hate Crime in general.

• In Policing Partnerships and Critical Incidents, learners discuss critical incidents, the factors from specific crime type (including Hate Crime) that can lead to an incident being determined as a critical incident and the factors that impact on individuals, families and communities.

Detectives – CSU Course Hate Crime element.

The area within CID (Criminal Investigation Department) that deals primarily with the more serious allegations of Hate Crime is the Community Safety Unit, within Safeguarding. For detectives that are either in that department or moving to that department there is a one week course and within that an element for Hate Crime, one lesson approximately two hours in length.

• This lesson covers how to understand the definition of Hate Crime, recognise what is a hate crime, identify barriers to reporting hate crimes that may exist and demonstrate their responsibilities around partnership working. This is achieved through looking at various case studies, discussions and group work. Additionally, learners are provided with several handouts (also available on the internet) which are periodically updated. Additionally, learners are provided with Community Impact statements around some Hate Crime types. These statements are for court and cannot be provided in a Freedom of Information Request.