Title
Resolution to Enhance Ann Arbor Police Department Training on Hate Crime Prevention, Investigation and Response
Staff
Reviewed by: Jennifer Janetsky, Assistant City Attorney
Atleen Kaur, City Attorney
Andre Anderson, Police Chief
Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all its residents, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or political affiliation;
Whereas, The federal government defines hate crimes as crimes committed on the basis of the victim’s perceived or actual race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability;
Whereas, According to the Department of Justice, the crime in a hate crime is “often a violent crime, such as assault, murder, arson, vandalism, or threats to commit such crimes. It may also cover conspiring or asking another person to commit such crimes, even if the crime was never carried out”;
Whereas, The Department of Justice estimates an average of 250,000 hate crimes were committed each year between 2004 and 2015 in the United States. Most of these crimes were not reported to law enforcement;
Whereas, The year 2020 witnessed a significant increase in anti-Asian crimes and sentiment, particularly as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitates proactive measures to combat discrimination and prejudice;
Whereas, There has been a disturbing rise in incidents of anti-Arab, anti-Islamic, anti-Israeli, anti-Jewish, and anti-Palestinian sentiment, highlighting the urgent need to address these forms of hate and discrimination within our community;
Whereas, Debates surrounding immigration have led to increased anti-Latino sentiment, emphasizing the importance of fostering a safe environment for all residents, regardless of their immigration status;
Whereas, The 2020 elections saw instances of voter intimidation targeting older Black Michigan residents, emphasizing the need to protect the voting rights and civil liberties of all residents;
Whereas, The Black Lives Matter murals at the downtown branch of the Ann Arbor District Library and Wheeler Park were defaced multiple times since 2020;
Whereas, There has been a concerning nationwide rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment, discrimination, and violence, particularly targeting transgender individuals, highlighting the pressing need to address and combat hatred and prejudice directed towards the LGBTQIA+ community;
Whereas, Recent efforts to ban books and educational materials that promote understanding and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals have surfaced in various Michigan communities, reflecting a broader challenge to LGBTQIA+ rights and education, and reinforcing the importance of fostering an inclusive and accepting environment for all residents;
Whereas, There has been a troubling increase in reports of harassment, discrimination, and stigmatization targeting individuals with disabilities, with a particular focus on those living with mental illness and addiction, underscoring the critical need to combat such prejudice and discrimination within our community;
Whereas, The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) updated its hate crime training manual in 2021, providing valuable resources and strategies to law enforcement agencies for effectively identifying, responding to, and preventing hate crimes; and
Whereas, It is essential to ensure that our Ann Arbor Police Department remains well-trained and well-equipped to address and combat hate crimes in our community;
RESOLVED, the Ann Arbor City Council directs the City Administrator to liaise with the Ann Arbor Police Chief to ensure that the Ann Arbor Police Department is receiving up-to-date hate crime training with a focus on proactive measures to prevent and respond to hate crimes;
RESOLVED, The Ann Arbor City Council directs the Ann Arbor City Attorney’s Office to include legal updates regarding hate crime investigation, prevention and response as part of their annual training of the Ann Arbor Police Department;
RESOLVED, The Ann Arbor City Council directs the City Administrator to ensure that the Ann Arbor City Council receives all necessary updates on the department's efforts to train their officers on hate crime investigation, and to combat hate crimes within our community; and
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council reaffirms its commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and safe community, where all residents can live free from fear of discrimination or harm based on their race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability;
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Harrison, Eyer, Ghazi Edwin, Briggs, Radina