Cypriot police officers undergo training on investigating anti-LGBTQI+ hate crimes

Approximately 50 officers from the Cyprus Police participated in a three-day training seminar held in Nicosia from October 14 to 16, 2026. The program, titled 'Policing Racist Crimes against LGBTQI+ – Training for Professional Police Response,' was conducted in collaboration with the Council of Europe. The primary instructor was Michail Lolis, a police officer from the Hellenic Police and an expert from the Council of Europe.

The curriculum focused on the legal framework surrounding hate crimes, methods for identifying and investigating incidents motivated by bias, proper evidence collection, and effective victim support. Participants also included legal professionals, psychologists, and representatives from civil society organizations. The goal of the training was to enhance the professional response of the police force to discriminatory incidents while fostering trust between law enforcement and the LGBTQI+ community.

This initiative is part of an ongoing effort by the Cyprus Police to improve the professional qualifications of its members. The training aims to ensure that police responses are impartial and respectful of human rights, encouraging victims to come forward without fear of prejudice or inadequate treatment during the reporting process.