Leading Civil Rights Organization and Police Chiefs Join to Address Hate Crimes

WASHINGTON - Recognizing the critical role law enforcement and community leaders play in responding to hate crimes, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) have come together to launch a new effort that will significantly strengthen the continuing dialogue on this serious issue. Through the establishment of an advisory committee, “Enhancing the Response to Hate Crimes,” the Lawyers’ Committee and the IACP will lead a discussion about ways to break down barriers and strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and communities that too often are the targets of hate crimes.

“The tragic events in Charlottesville, Virginia serve as a chilling reminder that too many communities are the targets of hate-fueled acts.  In these difficult moments, we must redouble our efforts to combat hate.  That includes a thoughtful dialogue among law enforcement and the civil rights community to ensure the needs of targeted communities, including racial and religious minorities, LGBT, and the handicapped are addressed,” said Kristen Clarke, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee. “The Lawyers’ Committee is proud to partner with the IACP in launching such an important discussion with all key stakeholders on how best to respond to hate crimes.”

“The IACP is excited to be partnering with the Lawyers’ Committee to address the individual and collective harm faced in communities due to hate crime,” said Donald W. De Lucca, President of the IACP and Chief of the Doral, Florida, Police Department. “By joining forces, we will assist agencies and community leaders in effectively responding to hate crimes, providing resources, and developing solutions to prevent such incidents. Through the advisory committee, the IACP and Lawyers’ Committee will bring together unique expertise to establish an achievable action agenda that will help stakeholders across the United States respond quickly to these crimes, making a lasting impact on victims and their communities.”  When the action agenda is completed, the IACP and the Lawyers’ Committee will seek public and private funding to support implementation.

Hate incidents and hate crimes have a devastating effect on individual victims and entire communities, as recent events across the country have made clear. The advisory committee being announced today will focus on incidents that are motivated by actual or perceived race, national origin, religious background, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability of any person. The committee will also discuss the many legal, economic, emotional, social, and safety issues that arise in the wake of hate incidents and propose recommendations on how best to respond. Members of the new advisory committee will include law enforcement and civil rights leaders, advocates, academic experts, and victims of hate crime.

The advisory committee will convene its first meeting on September 19, 2017. The committee will establish a comprehensive action agenda for public officials, community leaders, law enforcement officers, and justice system leaders to help them create a seamless response to hate crimes. This action agenda, once funded and implemented, will help improve the safety of all individuals threatened by hate through the protection of their civil rights.  

About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

The Lawyers’ Committee, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Now in its 54^th year, the Lawyers’ Committee is continuing its quest to “Move America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and voting rights.

As a Communities Against Hate partner, the Lawyers’ Committee leads the Stop Hate Project. The Stop Hate Project works to strengthen the capacity of community leaders, local government, law enforcement, and organizations around the country to combat hate by connecting these groups with legal and social services resources and creating new ones in response to identified needs.  The Project’s resource and reporting hotline for hate incidents, 1-844-9-NO-HATE (1-844-966-4283), connects people and organizations combating hate with the resources and support they need.

About the International Association of Chiefs of Police

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is a professional association for law enforcement worldwide. For more than 120 years, the IACP has been launching internationally acclaimed programs, speaking on behalf of law enforcement, conducting groundbreaking research, and providing exemplary programs and services to members across the globe.

Today, the IACP continues to be recognized as a leader in these areas. By maximizing the collective efforts of the membership, IACP actively supports law enforcement through advocacy, outreach, education, and programs.

Through ongoing strategic partnerships across the public safety spectrum, the IACP provides members with resources and support in all aspects of law enforcement policy and operations. These tools help members perform their jobs effectively, efficiently, and safely while also educating the public on the role of law enforcement to help build sustainable community relations.