Provincetown police get training in combatting hate crimes
by Laura Kiritsy Editor-in-chief Friday Feb 29, 2008 After incidents involving physical harm to gay people in Provincetown last summer raised questions about the town police department’s ability to appropriately investigate anti-gay hate crimes, the Anti-Defamation League headed down to the Cape to conduct a hate crimes training session for the Provincetown and Truro Police Departments. Let’s hope that things are a little quieter on the Tip of the Cape this year. Below is the ADL’s press release about the session: ADL Training Session Helps Police Departments Fight Hate Crimes on Lower Cape BOSTON, MA (February 28, 2008) ... The New England Region of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) led a hate crimes training session for the Provincetown and Truro Police Departments that drew upon the resources of ADL experts, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office, and the Fenway Community Health Center. The experts discussed hate crimes and hate crime laws both nationally and in Massachusetts, extremists in prison, hate symbols and ideology, and criminal trends in the area. Robert O. Trestan, ADL Eastern States Civil Rights Counsel, said in a statement: This was an important and productive program. In recent months there have been a number of incidents on the Lower Cape, some involving acts of violence, that raised concerns about anti-gay and lesbian hate crimes It is important that there be a clear understanding with respect to Massachusetts hate crimes law and best practices for investigating and prosecuting bias crimes and assisting the victims. ADL is pleased to have had the opportunity to lead this program. We conduct training sessions such as this across the nation as part of our mission to fight hate and promote diversity. "Combating hate crimes in the Commonwealth continues to be an important function of our office," said Attorney General Martha Coakley. "We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Anti-Defamation League and the police officers who are often on the front lines of dealing with hate crimes in their communities. Trainings such as this are productive so that local police can better identify, respond to, and ultimately assist in the prosecution of these crimes." Provincetown Police Chief Warren Tobias thanked ADL for "a worthwhile training session" and noted that his department had "learned a great deal that we can put to immediate use." The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice, and bigotry.
|
|
|
