NCJ Number
158688
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: (1995) Pages: 29-48
Date Published
1995
Length
20 pages
Annotation
An exploratory study examined the capacity of the bias crimes units in 16 municipal police agencies to follow the FBI guidelines and effectively investigate suspected hate crimes.
Abstract
Data were collected through telephone interviews with the police officer directly responsible for the bias crime unit. The interviews used questionnaires focusing on the structure and procedures of the unit. Results revealed that, contrary to the 1990 Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) from which the 16 agencies were selected, only four agencies had a special bias crime unit. Another six departments did not have a special unit but designated officers in other units to handle the crimes. Six agencies had neither a special unit nor special procedures for handling hate crimes. The 10 agencies with a special unit or procedure varied greatly in their procedures. The 16 agencies also varied greatly in their awareness and commitment to bias crimes units. Findings raise questions about the present status of police agency bias crime units and indicate that the LEMAS data substantially overstate the prevalence of bias crime units. The survey also raises questions about the validity and reliability of the LEMAS data. Tables, notes, and 48 references