WHEREAS, criminal acts motivated by prejudice are repugnant and violate fundamental values of human and civil rights; and

WHEREAS, to promote public confidence in the rule of law and respect human and civil rights, law enforcement/peace officers worldwide must through their words and actions convey the message that hate/bias-motivated acts in all forms will not be tolerated; and

WHEREAS, increased awareness has raised expectations for law enforcement/peace officers to confront prejudice, discrimination and racism in communities worldwide; and

WHEREAS, education, experience, and awareness lead to better understanding and appreciation of diversity, and constitute part of the solution to eliminate prejudice, discrimination and racism; and

WHEREAS, education and training for law enforcement/peace officers in the area of human and civil rights and hate/bias crimes has proven to better prepare officers to investigate those crimes, assist victims, and develop the confidence to promote cooperation by both victims and witnesses; and

WHEREAS, policies, procedures, and guidelines implemented within a number of agencies worldwide have demonstrated a significant improvement in standardizing the management of hate/bias crime investigations and practices; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) duly assembled at its 103rd annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona:

1. expects law enforcement/peace officers to continue their active opposition in word and deed to all manifestations of prejudice, discrimination and racism; and
    
2. calls upon chief executives to exercise leadership in condemning hate/bias motivated acts and violence, as well as promoting awareness and understanding of existing criminal and civil laws; and
    
3. urges its membership to continue to expand its outreach, education and training programs on human and civil rights; and
    
4. urges those chief executives who have instituted specific hate/bias crimes training to continue and expand such training, and strongly urges those that have not yet adopted such training to do so as soon as possible: and
    
5. urge all law enforcement leaders to implement policies, procedures, and guidelines for management of hate/bias crime investigations; and
    
6. authorizes and directs IACP executives and affiliates to transmit these views to the United Nations and members of the IACP, and other organizations and individuals.