Educating Police

EDUCATING POLICE FSWC Training and Professional Development Programs

Overview: As hate-motivated and antisemitic incidents continue to increase in Canada, law enforcement agencies are confronted with a daunting challenge in determining the most effective response to this escalating problem. FSWC actively collaborates with police forces by offering in-person and online training as well as professional development programs.

Police Training in Canada Lessons in Humanity Antisemitism, referred to as one of the world’s oldest hatreds, did not begin with the Holocaust, nor did it die with the defeat of Nazism in 1945. Less than 80 years later, the trajectory of hate crimes targeting Jewish people in Toronto, across Canada, and around the world is increasing at an alarming rate. We continue to see conspiracy theories, misinformation and disinformation rooted in antisemitic ideology fuelling incidents that are occurring in our own backyards. This program will look at patterns of antisemitism evidenced from antiquity to the present day, discuss how to identify this form of hate, how it relates to law enforcement, and suggest ways in which to address it in our contemporary world today.

Topics in this program include the Holocaust and antisemitism, linking historical perspectives to current manifestations evidenced in online spaces and real-world situations.

Pseudo-legalism, sovereign citizens, and conspiracy theories, all rooted in antisemitic ideology, along with how these topics connect to policing and how to counter this hate will also be explored. All of this work is meant to build on the robust DEI spaces that already exist in your service and work towards using one’s power and privilege to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive workspace, community, and world.

Building a Case Against Hate Every year, FSWC organizes a national conference for law enforcement professionals, including those from the RCMP, and military, as well as provincial and municipal services from across the country. The conference is dedicated to addressing and combatting hatemotivated crimes. This full-day event is comprised of panel discussions, networking opportunities, and presentations led by experts, all aimed at equipping law enforcement personnel with new tools, approaches, and knowledge to enhance their capabilities in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes.

The conference features contributions from international law enforcement agencies, with a primary focus on addressing several crucial issues within the realm of hate crime policing.

These issues include but are not limited to mass casualty attacks and the propagation of hate propaganda, both online and offline.

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Restorative Justice FSWC has developed unique, one-on-one programming to support both youth and adults in restorative practices in incidents of antisemitism and/or Holocaust denial or distortion. We have worked with court systems and law enforcement agencies to provide a robust educational program that educates the participant and provides opportunities to restore the harm caused, while working within the legal frameworks that have been established. These programs are developed on a case-by-case base and reflect the unique needs of each individual. For more information or to discuss further, please contact Melissa Mikel, FSWC director of education at mmikel@fswc.ca.

Police Training Abroad Compassion to Action Each year, as part of both its education and advocacy work, FSWC invites some 30 influential Canadians, including Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs, on an eye-opening educational journey to learn about the Holocaust, racism and intolerance. The objective behind Compassion to Action is to educate leaders about the history of antisemitism and to inspire and empower them to better address related issues of our times. Over the years, more than 150 police chiefs, educators, mayors, provincial and federal parliamentarians, school board superintendents, philanthropists and thought leaders have taken part in our Holocaust educational journey.

In previous trips, participants have visited the hallowed grounds of Auschwitz and Majdanek concentration camps (Poland); explored the ancient Jewish town of Krakow (Poland); viewed original documents from the Nazi period (Germany, Austria, Czech Republic); visited Nazi sites in Nuremberg (Germany); learned about the trials of Nazi war criminals (Germany); walked the path of the ancients in Jerusalem and experienced modern Israel in the always bustling Tel Aviv.

Tools for Tolerance Tools for Tolerance programs range in length from one to four days. Training courses utilize the evocative, state-of-the art exhibits of the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. These include social laboratories designed to challenge visitors to confront personal biases and prejudice, and to promote awareness about tolerance issues.

Participants engage in discussions around diversity, personal values, and responsibility as they apply to the workplace and beyond.

Contact Us! For more information about our programs, please email ebonnell@fswc.ca.

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