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<br />Policy & Procedure Page 1 of 8 <br /> <br />Lexington Police <br />Department <br />Subject: Bias Crimes <br /> <br /> <br />Policy Number: <br /> 42H Accreditation Standards: <br />Reference: Effective Date: <br />1/1/12 <br /> New <br /> Revised <br />Revision <br />Dates: <br />1/24/19 <br /> <br />By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police <br /> <br /> <br />The Municipal Police Institute, Inc. (MPI) is a private, nonprofit charitable affiliate of the <br />Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. MPI provides training and model policies and <br />procedures for police agencies. This policy is an edited version of MPI Policy 2.06, “Bias <br />Crimes.” <br /> <br />GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES <br /> <br />This policy is designed to assist officers in identifying crimes motivated by bias <br />against an individual's race, religion, ethnicity, handicap, sexual orientation or gender and <br />to define appropriate steps for assisting victims and apprehending suspects. <br /> <br />The key to a successful law enforcement response to hate and or bias crimes is a <br />foundation of trust and open communication between the police and the community. <br />Citizens are encouraged to promptly report hate crimes and must have confidence that <br />the police will investigate these matters thoroughly. <br /> <br />The Lexington Police Department recognizes the fears and distress typically <br />suffered by victims of hate crimes, the potential for reprisal, escalation of violence, and <br />other far-reaching negative consequences. As a result, attention should be given to <br />addressing the security and related concerns of victims, families and others affected by <br />the crime. <br /> <br />It is the policy of the Lexington Police Department that: <br /> <br /> All personnel are committed to safeguard the state and federal civil rights <br />of all individuals regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, handicap, sexual <br />orientation or gender; <br /> Any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, <br />or other crimes that are designed to infringe upon a person’s civil rights will <br />be investigated thoroughly; and <br /> Bias crimes will be given high priority. The Department will use every <br />resource available, rapidly and decisively to identify, arrest and prosecute <br />perpetrators. ,