Rozic bill mandating hate crimes training for
local law enforcement offi cials signed into law
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Legislation sponsored by
State Assemblywoman Nily
Rozic to create a hate crime response
and recognition training
for local law enforcement
was successfully signed into
law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on
Monday.
The measure, backed by
Rozic and state Senator Todd
Kaminsky, directs the Municipal
Police Training Council to
work alongside the New York
State Division of Human Rights
and Hate Crimes Task Force
to develop, maintain and distribute
policies and procedures
ensuring local law enforcement
are properly trained in recognizing
and responding to hate
crimes.
“With the steady surge of
hate crimes across New York,
there is little room for complacency,”
Rozic said. “This new
law will equip local law enforcement
with the proper tools to
identify, report, and respond to
these crimes that continue to
divide and install widespread
fear. Thank you Governor
Cuomo for his commitment
and sending the message that
hate has no place in any community.”
Kaminsky, a former prosecutor,
said, “Anti-Semitism,
hate and intolerance have no
place in our state and nation. I
was proud to see this legislation
I sponsored signed into law and
I will continue to do all I can to
protect our communities from
anti-Semitism.”
Rozic and Kaminsky introduced
the bill (A3606/
S3909) earlier this year in
January. It was passed in June
following months of advocacy
and a roundtable discussion
with community leaders and
activists on the increase of hate
crimes across the city. The coalition
had discussed how their
communities can work together
on legislative solutions and the
grassroots response necessary
following a hate-based incident.
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic File photo
The legislation is supported
by the Anti-Defamation League,
the American Jewish Committee
and Muslim Jewish Advisory
Council, the Muslim Bar Association
of New York, the Sikh
Coalition, Asian Americans
for Equality and the Chinese-
American Planning Council.
Even as the scourge of hate
crimes increases across New
York and much of the nation,
many experts agree that hate
crimes are underreported, according
to the Muslim Bar Association
of New York.
“One important factor in
underreporting is the investigating
officer does not identify
a bias motivation or does not
include bias in an incident report,”
the organization said.
“This timely and important
law will help ensure officers
across our state are trained to
recognize and respond to hate
crimes.”
Sim Singh, senior advocacy
and policy manager of the Sikh
Coalition, said, “Combatting
hate is not a Sikh problem, a
Jewish problem, or a Muslim
problem — it is a problem any
of us can face at any time. If we
are going to protect communities
impacted by hate, it is imperative
that law enforcement
understands the communities
they swore an oath to protect
and serve.”
Carlyn Cowen, chief policy
and public affairs officer at the
Chinese-American Planning
Council, said, “It is critical that
New York State take action to
respond. We are are grateful to
see Governor Cuomo sign this
bill that would protect New
Yorkers, and thank Assemblymember
Rozic and Senator
Kaminsky for their leadership
on this urgent issue.”
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