.png)
Programs for Police
and Law Enforcement
Encounter offers training specifically for police and law enforcement services. Designed to provide an overview of one or more of the world's major religions, our programs aim to create cultural competence, and comfort for officers working with members of religious communities.
Read about our offerings below, or reach out directly for a conversation about how we can help.
Religious Literacy for Police
This introductory talk is on of our most popular presentations, making the case for why religious literacy is so important for police. The presentation includes:
-
What we mean by religious literacy
-
Why religious literacy is especially important for police services and law enforcement in Canada
-
An explanation of how Canadian understandings of religion (called the Western Lens) distorts the ability to understand non-European traditions clearly
-
Examples of literacy and illiteracy
-
Tips for how to take positive steps forward with colleagues and the community.
.png)
Tradition Specific Training
.jpg)
Learn about the traditions, culture and history of Canada's various religious communities. Police services can select from programs featuring Canada's largest minority traditions, (e.g. Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists) to provide professional development that is most relevant to their team and community. Training includes:
-
An overview of the tradition to provide a basic understanding of the religion.
-
Information on visual cues to help identify a person's religion accurately.
-
Advice to facilitate respectful interactions that build trust.
-
Strategies for carrying out potentially sensitive police actions including entering homes, body searches, handling religious items, etc.
-
Guidance to establishing stronger, more positive community relations with these minority traditions.
-
Tips on how to make the workplace welcoming for minority officers to enhance belonging, retention, and recruitment.
Site Visits
Visiting a place of worship is an extremely valuable opportunity to learn about a religious tradition and community. Encounter can facilitate local tours, or visits to locations in larger centres. This training is best when accompanied by some pre-learning which could occur in the morning or on another day. This program aims to:
-
Encourage a sense of comfort and confidence entering a place of worship which may be a new experience for some of your team
-
Provide opportunities for valuable conversations with a leader from the community where they can share their community's needs and officers can ask questions.
-
Create familiarity with religious items and visual cues that help officers do their jobs with more knowledge and skill.
-
Observe rituals and learn about important celebrations.
_edited_edited_edited_edited.jpg)
.png)
Customized Training
Encounter provides customized training to suit the needs of specific police services. Customized programs can combine any of the elements of our programs or provide unit-specific content. For example, previous sessions for Victim Services Unites have included comforting grievers in an appropriate way, respectful and compassionate handling of the deceased, and the nuances of dealing with intimate partner violence in ways that are religiously and culturally sensitive.
Understanding the
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
In recent years, several police services have asked us to speak on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This training aims to:
-
Provide a balanced understanding of the conflict's origins
-
Explain how different sides in this conflict see certain historical events and how this shapes their responses
-
Provide greater insight on how these issues affect Canadians who have ties to this conflict
-
Explain key slogans and language and the complications therein
Heading 2
Three Day Police Literacy Program
Created specifically for police officers, this 3 day program offers the opportunity to learn about some of the world’s major religions.
You will:
-
Meet religious community leaders
-
Engage with colleagues about best practices for connecting with diverse communities
-
Tour houses of worship and learn about sacred spaces and traditions
-
Take part in interesting classes and discussions designed to enhance your knowledge and comfort with religious practices and communities
Taught from a non-sectarian perspective this program helps you connect with colleagues, community members and friends who practice various religions.
​
​
TESTIMONIALS
“This is one of the best courses I've taken. Brian is an eloquent presenter and I most appreciated his non-judgmental approach. He's clearly a leader in this area and an excellent presenter. I'm grateful this was offered because what I learned will directly inform both my personal and professional lives.”
Law Enforcement Officer, OPP
“The world religions program was an incredible experience and beneficial both personally and professionally. I would recommend all officers invest in such a program. The knowledge gained can be applied immediately upon return to front line or specialty bureaus in Law Enforcement.”
Law Enforcement Officer, Peel Police
“I had the opportunity to take the course in Summer 2022 and it gave me a newfound appreciation of the impact religions have on our daily lives. Brian is a wealth of knowledge and his lectures were easily digestible.”
Law Enforcement Officer, Niagara Police