NCJ Number
138907
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 19 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1992) Pages: 40-42,44-46
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
In response to the increase in hate crimes, many police departments are forming special units to handle crimes that involve bias based on race, ethnicity, or religion.
Abstract
According to Lt. Stephen T. Johnson, commander of the Conflict Prevention and Resolution Unit of the Philadelphia Police Department, a "hate crime" is an "unlawful act predicated solely on the victim's race, ethnicity, or religious background." In response to the rising wave of hate crimes in many cities, police departments have formed special units whose sole responsibility is the determination and investigation of hate/bias crime incidents. These special units are different from other police details because, although they concentrate on the crimes themselves, they are also aware of their responsibility to the victims and to the community as a whole. The formation of special police units also makes the public more aware of the existence of hate crimes and helps to marshal support to stop them. Departments that are considering the establishment of a hate crime unit should ensure that the racial makeup of the unit matches the community that the unit will be serving. The unit should also receive specialized training that prepares officers to respond appropriately and effectively to the kinds of incidents with which they will be dealing. The special unit aims to communicate to the community, offenders, and potential offenders that hate crimes will be promptly and expertly investigated so that offenders may be identified and prosecuted.