Training & Outreach by the State Department

State Department Activities to Increase Access Awareness and Compliance for Consular Notification and Access

Live Training and Outreach

U.S. State Department provides training on consular notification and access to federal, state, and local law enforcement, corrections and criminal justice officials free of charge via Zoom.

If your agency or department is interested in a live training, please email us at consnot@state.gov.

Training Materials

Pre-recorded Training Videos

Our pre-recorded training video covers the same topics as our live training sessions. We recommend attending the live sessions if possible because they allow you to ask questions and have open discussions. However, if you don't have enough new employees to justify a live session with us, we encourage using the recorded video as part of your new employee orientation process.

The pre-recorded video can also be used as a refresher for existing employees. Watching it can help ensure your staff follows all laws around consular notification and access correctly.

To request an access code to watch the pre-recorded training, email: consnot@state.gov.

Video for Law Enforcement

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Video for Jail or Prison Staff

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Presentation for Consular Corps

Our pre-recorded presentation video for foreign embassies and consulates (the consular corps) outlines facility access protocols and the resources we offer to law enforcement agencies. It emphasizes the U.S. commitment to upholding its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and bilateral agreements, ensuring foreign nationals have access to consular assistance when detained or arrested in the United States.

We regularly offer live or virtual consular corps presentations throughout the year in partnership with the Office of Foreign Missions. Members of the consular corps should also be on the look out for an invitation to one of those sessions.

To request an access code to watch the pre-recorded presentation, email: consnot@state.gov and provide your name, email address, and the foreign mission you are affiliated with.

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Publications

We are available to work with editors and authors interested in publishing or writing feature pieces about consular notification and access. Please email us at consnot@state.gov with article ideas and any questions.

CALEA Standard

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA), published a consular notification standard in its Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies. The Consular Notification standard 1.1.4, requires all law enforcement agencies to implement a written directive governing procedures for ensuring compliance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the other consular notification treaties in order to be accredited by CALEA. The Department of State provides a model CNA SOP for law enforcement agencies to use as a template. For more information about CALEA accreditation, please visit the CALEA website.