Police and Criminal Justice Training
Building trust, improving engagement and reducing inequalities for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities often report experiencing mistrust, misunderstanding and disproportionate negative interactions within criminal justice systems, alongside wider structural inequalities that affect confidence in policing and related services.
Friends, Families and Travellers’ Police and Criminal Justice Training helps professionals develop a clearer understanding of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, improve communication and engagement, and support fairer, more effective practice across policing and justice systems.
Delivered by trainers with lived experience and specialist expertise, this training focuses on practical approaches that support better decision-making, improved community relations and more equitable outcomes.
Suitable for:
- Police Forces
- Neighbourhood Policing Teams
- Public Protection Units
- Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs)
- Youth Offending Teams
- Probation Services
- Prison and Custodial Staff
- Criminal Justice Liaison Teams
- Community Safety Partnerships
- Safer Neighbourhood Boards
- Court and Liaison Services
- Strategic Policing Leads
Why This Training Matters
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are often overrepresented in enforcement-focused interactions and underrepresented in positive engagement with criminal justice systems.
These dynamics can be shaped by a range of factors including historical mistrust, communication barriers, stereotyping, and inconsistent experiences of service delivery.
For policing and justice professionals, this can create challenges in building trust, achieving cooperation, and delivering fair and proportionate responses.
Without targeted understanding and practical tools, organisations may struggle to build long-term community confidence or address inequalities in engagement and outcomes.
How This Training Supports Your Priorities
Improving Community Trust and Confidence
Develop a deeper understanding of how trust is formed and undermined, and identify practical approaches to improving relationships between services and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
Supporting Procedural Fairness
Explore how perceptions of fairness and consistency impact engagement and cooperation, and strengthen awareness of how practice can influence community confidence.
Reducing Disproportionality in Engagement
Examine how bias, assumptions and structural factors can contribute to disproportionate outcomes, and identify ways to improve decision-making and engagement practice.
Strengthening Communication and Engagement
Build practical skills for effective communication in complex or sensitive situations, improving outcomes and reducing escalation.
Supporting Neighbourhood and Community Policing
Improve understanding of community dynamics and develop strategies for sustained engagement and problem-solving approaches.
Enhancing Safeguarding and Youth Justice Practice
Support more informed and context-aware responses to young people and families from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
Meeting Equality and Public Sector Duties
Strengthen compliance with equality legislation and public sector responsibilities through improved understanding and practice.
Organisational Benefits
This training helps criminal justice organisations:
- Improve trust and confidence in policing and justice systems
- Strengthen community engagement and relationships
- Reduce misunderstandings and unnecessary escalation
- Improve fairness and consistency in decision-making
- Support effective neighbourhood policing strategies
- Enhance communication and de-escalation skills
- Improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals and families
- Support equality and diversity objectives
- Strengthen public accountability and legitimacy
- Improve multi-agency collaboration
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
- Understand the diversity of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
- Explore historical and contemporary experiences with criminal justice systems
- Examine barriers to trust and engagement
- Develop practical approaches to communication and interaction
- Increase awareness of bias, perception and procedural fairness
- Strengthen confidence in community engagement work
- Identify actions to improve practice and relationships
- Reflect on organisational approaches to inclusion and fairness
Training Topics
Training can be tailored to your organisation and may include:
Understanding Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities
- Community diversity and identity
- Historical and social context
- Myths, stereotypes and misconceptions
Trust and Confidence in Criminal Justice Systems
- Historical experiences and impact on engagement
- Barriers to cooperation and communication
- Building legitimacy and trust
Procedural Fairness and Decision-Making
- Consistency and fairness in practice
- Perception vs reality in policing interactions
- Reducing unintended bias
Communication and De-escalation
- Practical engagement strategies
- Managing challenging situations
- Improving outcomes through communication
Community Policing and Engagement
- Building long-term relationships
- Problem-solving approaches
- Working with communities and partners
Youth Justice and Safeguarding
- Contextual understanding of risk and vulnerability
- Supporting positive outcomes for young people
- Multi-agency collaboration
Turning Learning into Action
- Operational improvements
- Team-based action planning
- Embedding inclusion in practice
Training Formats
Introductory Webinar
A short, accessible introduction to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and criminal justice engagement.
Ideal for:
- Large teams
- Awareness sessions
- Induction and refresher training
CPD-Accredited Training
In-depth interactive training focused on practical application and operational relevance.
Ideal for:
- Police officers
- Probation staff
- Youth justice practitioners
- Community safety teams
Bespoke Workshops
Tailored training aligned with local policing priorities, community contexts and operational needs.
Ideal for:
- Police forces
- PCC offices
- Regional partnerships
Strategic Leadership Sessions
Focused sessions for senior leaders, strategic leads and policy teams.
Who Delivers the Training?
Our training is delivered by experienced facilitators with lived experience and specialist expertise in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, inclusion and engagement with public services.
Friends, Families and Travellers works nationally with policing, justice and community safety organisations to improve understanding, reduce inequalities and strengthen relationships with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.
What Participants Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this relevant to frontline officers?
Yes. The training is designed for both frontline and strategic roles.
Can this be tailored to local contexts?
Yes. We regularly adapt content to reflect local community dynamics and policing priorities.
Does this support youth justice work?
Yes. It includes specific content relevant to youth justice and safeguarding.
Is online delivery available?
Yes. Training can be delivered online, in person or in blended formats.
Book Police and Criminal Justice Training
Whether your priority is improving community trust, strengthening procedural fairness, reducing disproportionality or enhancing engagement, this training provides practical tools that can be applied in operational settings.
Next steps:
- View upcoming webinars
- Request a quote
- Book a discovery call
- Discuss a bespoke programme