In December 2011, I asked the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a national leader on the issue of hate crimes, to assist the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) by conducting an impartial review of MPD’s programs supporting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, comparing them with programs in other departments in the nation, and identifying any areas that might be strengthened. The ADL assembled a small group of national civil rights organizations, advocacy groups and recognized academic authorities with involvement and experience on the issues of community engagement and hate crimes to donate their time to this effort. 

I am pleased to share with the community the report of the Hate Crimes Assessment Task Force (HCATF), as well as MPD’s response to the recommendations.  These can be found on our website, at www.mpdc.dc.gov.

I requested this assessment to improve the Department’s response to hate crimes and to strengthen MPD’s relationship with the LGBT community.  It is our hope that our response to the HCATF Report and commitment to implement its recommendations will establish the basis for a new level of partnership with the LGBT community based on our shared vision and values.

Cathy L. Lanier
Chief of Police