Police wield immense power over many marginalized and criminalized communities, who are also disproportionately affected by HIV and/or hepatitis C (HCV). Current movements to reimagine and reduce the role of police and reinvest in community-led initiatives are imperative to promote public health and uphold human rights. At the same time, providing law enforcement with knowledge about HIV, HCV, human rights, and harm reduction can create a more “enabling environment” that reduces harm.
There is a recognized need to equip the police with greater knowledge — and the capacity to apply that knowledge in their law enforcement practice — so as to promote access to HIV and/or HCV and other health, social, and support services, particularly those targeting priority populations. In response, the HIV Legal Network embarked on a multistage, community-based project to develop a training manual to improve the health and safety of people living with and affected by HIV and/or HCV in Canada. This project involved two rounds of research and literature review, as well as input from community and police stakeholders.
This training manual draws on current scientific evidence and best practices related to police education and HIV and HCV health and safety training. It is intended for use by police departments to assist them in meeting their professional obligations to provide safer service to people living with and affected by HIV and/or HCV.
Read the manual: