Policy Text
Page 1 of 3 General Order 7-25 - (03/23/23 )
REPORTING ACTS OF TERRORISM AND HATE CRIMES
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: REPORTING ACTS OF TERRORISM AND HATE
CRIMES
Chapter
7 Number
25 # Pages
3
References:
CALEA : 46.3. 1
VA State Code: § 18.2 -30, § 18.2 -38, § 18.2 -46.4, § 18.2 -
47, § 18.2 -51, § 18.2 -58, § 18.2 -58.1, § 18.2-61, § 18.2 -
67.5:3, § 18.2 -77, § 18.2 -79, 1§ 9.2 -297.1, § 52 -8.5 Related Orders: N/A Effective Date: 03/23/2023
Revised By: Review
Prv. Rev. Date: 11/26/ 2019
Chief of Police :
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to establish the policy and p rocedure for reporting hate crimes
and acts of terrorism, including those committed with biological and chemical weapons.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This General Order is due for triannual review and remain s unchanged .
III. POLICY
Homeland s ecurity, including the preven tion of hate crimes, is of the utmost importance to all
law enforcement agencies, particularly since September 11, 2001. As such , and according to
state law, it is the policy of the Richmond Police Department to investigate and report, to the
FBI-JTTF (Fed eral Bureau of Investigation – Joint Terrorism Task Force) and the Virginia
State Police, any situation or act defined as a hate crime or act of terrorism. [CALEA 46.3.1 ]
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the gu idelines and timelines outlined in this
general order. Responsibility rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any violations
of policy are investigated and appropriate training, counseling and/or disciplinary action is
initiated.
This directive i s for internal use only, and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability in any
way. It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or ca re in an
evidentiary sense, concerning third -party claims. Violation of this directive, if proven, can
only form the basis of a complaint by this Department, and then only in a non -judicial
administrative setting .
Page 2 of 3 General Order 7-25 - (03/23/23 )
REPORTING ACTS OF TERRORISM AND HATE CRIMES V. DEFINITIONS
A. HATE CRIME :
1. A criminal act committed against a person or his/her property with the specific
intent of instilling fear or intimidation in the individual against whom the act is
perpetrated because of race, religion , or ethnic origin, or that is committed to
restraining that person from exercising his/her rights under the Constitution or laws
of the Commonwealth or the Uni ted States ;
2. Any illegal act directed against any persons or their pr operty because of those
persons’ sexual orientation , race, religion , or national origin ; and,
3. All other incidents as determined by law enforcement authorities, intended to
intimidate or ha rass any individual or group because of race, religion , or national
origin. (VA Code § 52-8.5).
B. ACT OF TERRORISM :
An act of violence as defined in clause (i) of subdivision A of §19 .2-297.1 Code of
Virginia (see below list) committed with the intent to:
1. Intimidate the civilian population at large; or,
2. Influence the conduct or activities of the government of the United States, a state ,
or a locality through intimidation. (VA Code § 18.2-46.4, §19.2-297.1 ).
3. Violations of Chapter 4 ( VA Code §18.2-30 et seq.) of Title 18.2 [19.2 -297.1 A
(i)]
a) First and second -degree murder and voluntary manslaughter under Article 1
(VA Code §18.2-30 et seq.);
b) Mob -related felonies under Article 2 ( VA Code §18.2-38 et seq.);
c) Any kidnapping or abduction felony under Article 3 ( VA Code §18.2-47 et
seq.);
d) Any malicious felonious assault or malicious bodily wounding under Article
4 (VA Code §18.2-51 et seq.);
e) Robbery under VA Code §18.2-58 and carjacking under VA Code §18.2-
58.1;
f) Except as otherwise provided in VA Code §18.2-67.5:2 or VA Code §18.2-
67.5:3 , criminal sexual assault punishable as a felony under Article 7 ( VA
Code §18.2-61 et seq.); or ,
g) Arson in violation of VA Code §18.2-77 when the structure burned was
occupied or a Class 3 felony violation of VA Code §18.2-79;
Page 3 of 3 General Order 7-25 - (03/23/23 )
REPORT