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MARTHA COAKLEY

ATTORNEY GENERAL

May 23, 2008 - For immediate release:

Attorney General Coakley’s Civil Rights Division and the Anti-Defamation League Hold Police Training on Hate Crimes

              PROVINCETOWN - Members of Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Civil Rights Division together with the New England Region of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Fenway Community Health Center completed the last in a series of two hate crimes training sessions for the Provincetown Police Department yesterday afternoon.  The first session, held in February 2008, also included members of the Truro Police Department and the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office. 

              The trainings covered Massachusetts hate crime laws and tips on how to better identify, investigate, report and prosecute hate crimes.  They also included a particular focus on hate crime and other bias-motivated conduct directed at members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. 

              “Hate crimes against residents and visitors to Massachusetts will not be tolerated.  We know the uniquely devastating impact that hate crimes have on both victims and communities,” said Attorney General Coakley.  “These trainings have been an opportunity for my office to work together with the police to ensure that there is a consistent approach to investigating and prosecuting hate crimes.  We welcome the opportunity to continue to work together with members of the community and local law enforcement to combat hate crimes.”

              “The training is designed to ensure that police officers are able to identify and thoroughly investigate hate crimes while addressing the unique impact these crimes have on individuals and communities,” said Robert O. Trestan, ADL Eastern States Civil Rights Counsel.  “We are pleased that Provincetown has taken steps to ensure that the entire force is equipped to respond when needed.”

              “The training was extremely worthwhile especially since we serve such a diverse community,” said Staff Sergeant Warren Tobias.  “It was very informative for our new officers and was a good refresher for our veteran officers.”

              The Attorney General’s Office is responsible for enforcing the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act (MCRA.) Under the MCRA, the Attorney General’s Office may obtain civil rights injunctions against those who deprive others of their civil rights through intimidation, threats, coercion or violence.  Specifically; a court order may be obtained if an individual is the victim of threats, intimidation, or coercion on the basis of his or her protected category (race, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability); or protected activity (for example, the right to vote or the right to associate).  These court orders can prohibit a perpetrator from further acts of intimidation and violence and restrict the proximity that they have to the victim.  A violation of an MCRA injunction is a criminal offense and is punishable by fines of up to $10,000 and ten years incarceration in a House of Correction.

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