In 2013, Chief Paul Cell was sworn in as president of IACP. Recognizing the growth of transnational crime and the critical role of global collaboration, President Cell made expanding our international membership a priority.
Today IACP has members in 178 countries. Our effort to expand international membership has continued with the next presidents. As part of our international outreach and engagement efforts, the IACP Executive Board met recently in Krakow, Poland, where the Polish Police gave a presentation on their work investigating crimes against people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The people of Poland have opened their arms and homes to the victims of the war, and I left with a high level of respect for the Polish people.
Across the world, we have recently experienced a concerning increase in reported incidents of hate speech and hate crimes. In 2024, the FBI released the hate crimes data as reported by law enforcement agencies from the 2023 Uniform Crime Report. The report showed a staggering 11,862 hate crime incidents involving 13,829 offenses and affecting 14,416 victims. While these data were from 2023, and the 2024 data are not yet available, the figures showed an increase from the prior year. We are also seeing reports of an increase in hate crimes from countries outside the United States. As policing professionals, we not only have a responsibility to address the rising tide of hate crimes, but we also play a critical role in countering hate and hate crimes.
While in Poland, the Executive Board members toured the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps. The tour was extremely emotional and difficult at times but necessary. As law enforcement leaders, we must understand how hate, left unchecked, will lead to tragedy. Walking through those hallowed grounds, we were confronted with the depths of human cruelty and the catastrophic consequences of unrestrained hate. It is impossible to fully comprehend how such horrors were perpetrated, yet it is essential that we try. As leaders, we must confront the darkest chapters of history to ensure they are never repeated.
The U.S. Constitution and the IACP Oath of Office take on an even more important meaning after seeing what happened to millions of people during WWII. The experience also made me reflect on our responsibility as police chiefs and the heavy burden we carry. We cannot and will never let such horrific acts occur again.
Hate crimes represent an attack not just on individuals but on the very fabric of our societies.
Hate crimes represent an attack not just on individuals but on the very fabric of our societies. They target people for who they are, causing fear and division. As police leaders, we must stand united against this threat and be resolute in our commitment to ensuring safety and justice for all.
The lessons of Auschwitz are stark and unambiguous. Police leaders have a duty to prevent the escalation of bias and bigotry into violence. To do this, we must be vigilant, proactive, and unwavering in our commitment to justice and equality.
We must never allow hateful rhetoric to escalate into violence against any group. While we understand the delicate balance between safeguarding free speech and protecting communities from harm, any speech that incites violence or targets individuals based on their identity must be met with swift and decisive action.
As leaders in policing, we also have a responsibility to educate and prepare new recruits and our officers. This includes comprehensive training on recognizing and responding to hate crimes and building trust with marginalized communities. The relationships and trust we forge with communities are foundational to our success. When community members trust law enforcement, they are more likely to report hate crimes, enabling us to respond effectively and prevent further injustice.
Additionally, collaboration is key. Hate crimes often transcend local boundaries, requiring coordination across jurisdictions and with international partners. Through shared intelligence, best practices, and joint training, we can strengthen our collective ability to combat these crimes.
But this issue extends beyond policing—it requires a whole-of-society approach. Schools, community organizations, faith leaders, and policymakers all have roles to play in countering hate and fostering tolerance. Law enforcement must be at the forefront of these partnerships, leading with integrity and purpose.
The visit to Auschwitz served as a bleak reminder of the dangers. It is a place that compels us to confront the consequences of inaction, apathy, and complicity. As I walked through the remnants of violent hate, I felt a renewed commitment to ensuring that history does not repeat itself. We owe this to the victims of hate crimes today and to future generations.
To the communities we serve, know that we are committed to protecting you, no matter your race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or any other element of your identity.
As leaders in policing, we have a unique role and responsibility to prevent hate from taking root. It is not enough to respond to violence—we must work tirelessly to stop it before it begins. Hate has no place in our society.
That is why the IACP will remain vigilant in providing resources and training to the policing profession when it comes to hate crimes. The IACP offers Hate Crimes Recognition & Reporting training to enhance law enforcement’s response to hate crimes, as well as the recognition and reporting of these incidents. This free training through CRI-TAC emphasizes victims and their needs through concepts such as victimology research, understanding different cultures, communication best practices, interviewing, and social services resources.
Additionally, the Hate Crime Investigations training provides step-by-step methods for conducting a thorough hate or bias crime investigation to ensure accurate reporting and successful prosecution. The training also reviews specific strategies that effectively support victims and engage communities in the aftermath of a hate crime or hate incident.
In the coming year, IACP will continue to offer data-driven resources and training sessions to aid the profession and our communities. d
Please cite as:
Ken A. Walker, “Preventing and Combating Hate Crimes,” President’s Message, Police Chief 92, no. 1 (January 2025): 6–8.
