Identifying, investigating, and reporting hate crimes when they occur help ensure that data are complete and accurate, and allow for appropriate resources to be directed toward solving and preventing hate crime. Law enforcement and prosecutors’ offices are a key part of this strategy and, through the Shepard/Byrd Hate Crimes Program, can lead collaborative approaches that prevent and respond to these crimes.

A comprehensive report was issued in 2020 that sets forth key recommendations and action steps to combat hate crime. View the report: Improving the Identification, Investigation, and Reporting of Hate Crimes: A Summary Report of the Law Enforcement Roundtable (August 2020).

Additional Resources

• Bias Crime Assessment: A Tool and Guidelines for Law Enforcement and Concerned Communities, National Institute of Justice (National Institute of Justice)
• Hate Crime Data Collection Guidelines and Training Manual (Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Justice Information Services Division)
• Community Oriented Policing Services: Addressing Hate Crimes Resources