Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Training and Technical Assistance Program

Hate crimes disrupt communities, instill fear in vulnerable populations, and strain already tenuous bonds between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Effectively addressing hate crimes requires engagement from various stakeholders, including law enforcement, prosecution agencies, victim services entities, community organizations, and the public. 

The Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) is submitting this proposal to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) for $650,000 for the 24-month period beginning October 1, 2021, to develop and deliver training and technical assistance (TTA) that complements the Hate Crimes Enforcement and Prevention Initiative to support grantees of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program. IIR will serve as the lead applicant on this project in partnership with the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) as a subawardee.

The goal of this initiative is to enhance the capacities of state, local, and tribal jurisdictions to collaborate to increase public awareness and reporting of hate crimes and to enhance law enforcement and prosecution strategies to prevent and respond to hate crimes, thereby bringing justice for victims and stakeholders impacted by these hate crimes and building trust with community partners and victims.

Through this proposed project, IIR and NDAA will develop and deliver TTA to build the capacities of state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies to work closely with victims and community and school-based partners to conduct outreach on hate crimes, offer training on them, and investigate and prosecute hate crimes.

Requested funding will support the assessment of agency needs; the identification of resources and TTA to address those needs; the convening of focus groups to better understand the needs of the field; subject-matter expert consultation on best and evidence-based practices; the establishment of a community of practice to share lessons learned; enhanced data collection; research on emerging issues; and the development of a website, webinars, training, and publications to disseminate knowledge. This proposal also includes the provision of subject-matter expertise to BJA and other federal partners, including support for the continuation of two trainings funded by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

Hate crimes disrupt communities, instill fear in vulnerable populations, and strain already tenuous bonds between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Effectively addressing hate crimes requires engagement from various stakeholders, including law enforcement, prosecution agencies, victim services entities, community organizations, and the public. 

The Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) is submitting this proposal to the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) for $650,000 for the 24-month period beginning October 1, 2021, to develop and deliver training and technical assistance (TTA) that complements the Hate Crimes Enforcement and Prevention Initiative to support grantees of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program. IIR will serve as the lead applicant on this project in partnership with the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) as a subawardee.

The goal of this initiative is to enhance the capacities of state, local, and tribal jurisdictions to collaborate to increase public awareness and reporting of hate crimes and to enhance law enforcement and prosecution strategies to prevent and respond to hate crimes, thereby bringing justice for victims and stakeholders impacted by these hate crimes and building trust with community partners and victims.

Through this proposed project, IIR and NDAA will develop and deliver TTA to build the capacities of state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecution agencies to work closely with victims and community and school-based partners to conduct outreach on hate crimes, offer training on them, and investigate and prosecute hate crimes.

Requested funding will support the assessment of agency needs; the identification of resources and TTA to address those needs; the convening of focus groups to better understand the needs of the field; subject-matter expert consultation on best and evidence-based practices; the establishment of a community of practice to share lessons learned; enhanced data collection; research on emerging issues; and the development of a website, webinars, training, and publications to disseminate knowledge. This proposal also includes the provision of subject-matter expertise to BJA and other federal partners, including support for the continuation of two trainings funded by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.