NCJ Number
205611
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 71 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2004 Pages: 41-42,44
Date Published
April 2004
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article provides guidance for police departments in responding to hate crimes through discussions of leadership, the impact of hate crimes on victims, the establishment of a gay and lesbian liaison unit, attention to alcohol or drug involvement, the maintenance of statistics, collaboration, and the development of departmental policy.
Abstract
Hate crimes are unique in that victims are targeted for attacks because of core characteristics of their identity. Victims often feel degraded, frightened, vulnerable, and suspicious. The police executive can show leadership for a proactive approach to hate crimes by establishing policy, general orders, procedures, resources, and training. The most important leadership element is to ensure that resources are available for prevention, investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of offenders. The Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC, has set an example for a proactive response to hate crimes by establishing a unit within the department to deal specifically with issues that affect the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community. The unit's goals are to educate police officers and the community about the issue of hate crimes and build trust between the police and the gay and lesbian community. This unit provides helpful prevention information to the GLBT community so they can act to reduce their risk of victimization. A focus of the unit has been on the increased risk of victimization associated with victims' alcohol or drug abuse. Keeping statistics on hate crimes facilitates an analysis of the patterns and victims of such crimes, thus enabling the department to allocate its resources more efficiently and effectively. Further, an effective response to hate crimes requires that the police cooperate with other criminal justice agencies and community organizations to ensure a coordinated response that encompasses prevention, investigation, prosecution, and victim services. Police leaders should adopt the Model Policy on Hate and Bias Crimes developed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.