Assessing the Factors That Affect Law Enforcement Participation in Hate Crime Reporting

• NCJ Number: 172156
• Author(s): J J Nolan; Y Akiyama
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 60 pages
• Corporate Author: Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Sale Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the factors that affect whether police agencies and police officers participate in hate-crime data- collection initiatives. ABSt The research began with a series of focused interviews with a stratified sample of police officers in two east-coast States. The findings from these interviews were used to develop an assessment instrument, the Hate Crime Reporting Climate Survey (HCRCS). The HCRCS was distributed to a sample of police officers and civilian employees in four police agencies, one from each region of the United States. Responses to the survey showed significant differences among the agencies regarding variables that encourage hate-crime reporting and variables that discourage such reporting. The highest scores for the presence of encouraging variable and lowest scores for the presence of discouraging variables were recorded by respondents from the northeastern and western agencies. These agencies currently participate in the national hate crime data-collection program. The lowest scores for the presence of encouraging variables and highest scores for the presence of discouraging variables were recorded by respondents from the southern and central agencies. The southern and central police agencies do not currently participate in the national program. Inconsistencies in organizational policy and practice were uncovered when respondents' scores were considered together. The research reduced the 60 interrelated variables identified at the focus groups to 10 common factors at the agency and individual level that combine to affect the reporting of hate crimes. These factors are organizational attitudes/belief, utility in community relations, organizational self-preservation, efficacy of police involvement, priority of resource allocations, supportive organizational policies and practices, individual attitudes/beliefs, professional self-preservation, work-related difficulties, and organizational commitment. Study results can assist in the development of ways to improve law enforcement participation in hate-crime reporting. 18 tables, 19 references, and appended list of variables that affect hate crime reporting