NYPD Announces New Hate Crimes Review Panel

A diverse panel of five civilian community leaders has been established to ensure vigorous enforcement of hate crimes and ultimate justice for New Yorkers who are its victims, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced on Monday, April 19.

The NYPD Hate Crime Review Panel includes Devorah Halberstam, Executive Director of the Jewish Children’s Museum; Fred Teng, President of the America China Public Affairs Institute; Pia Raymond, author, professor and social worker; Ed Powell, the longtime President of the 70th Precinct Community Council; and David Warren, a member of Community Board 4, a board member of ChekPeds, and an active member of OutCycling. The panelists, who represent deep knowledge and vital experience, will assess the challenges in establishing whether a victim’s actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability or other factors contributed to possible hate crimes.

“Our continuing partnerships with the community remain the cornerstone of our policing philosophy,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “Whether teaming our cops up with the community to clean graffiti, partnering with esteemed advisors to reimagine policing for the 21st Century or ensuring an independent assessment of all potential hate crimes, we are always striving to make the department fairer, stronger and more effective.”

The NYPD has emphasized building strong relationships through Neighborhood Policing and focusing resources on the drivers of violence through Precision Policing. As is part of NYPD’s commitment to continuous improvement, the department envisions this new panel as an ally in ensuring that all New Yorkers can live free from bias.