NCJ Number
191215
Date Published
2001
Length
47 pages
Annotation
This report examines the Civil Rights Commission on Hate Crimes that was established by the Attorney general of California.
Abstract
The purpose of this commission is to improve the reporting of hate crimes and incidents occurring in local communities, schools, and to law enforcement agencies. In response to their findings the Commission developed several recommendations. The Justice Department should establish a multi-lingual education campaign to increase public awareness. Telephone hotlines as well as specific web sites should be established so people can be made aware of local resources. Special support networks and hate violence prevention programs should be implemented in all cities and communities. School staff members should be trained to deal with hate crime incidents. It was also was also recommended that colleges and universities set up policies to identify and respond to hate crimes. In terms of reporting hate crimes to law enforcement agencies, police officers should receive specific training dealing with issues pertaining to hate crimes. Also, law enforcement agencies are encouraged to form partnerships with State and local governments in order to create policies, guidelines, and training programs to respond to this problem. The commission also recommends that constitutional and legal limitations be set on gathering and handling information. Information should be stored in statewide electronic databases, so law enforcement agencies can utilize it. Lastly, prosecutors should also be trained in issues dealing with hate crimes. Even though improvements are being made there is still a long way to go in coping with this problem. List of committee and staff members