EPS adds online reporting for hate incidents

The Edmonton Police Service’s Hate Crime and Violent Extremism Unit is launching online reporting for hate incidents.

Today, June 5, 2023, the EPS is announcing the expansion of online crime reporting to include hate incidents in Edmonton.

Online reporting allows Edmontonians to report hate incidents, even if they don’t feel comfortable calling police or coming into a police station. People can also report on behalf of someone else, which will further assist those who may not feel comfortable, or who may require assistance to report an incident.

“We know that hate incidents often go unreported for a number of reasons,” says Acting Inspector Michelle Greening, with EPS Investigative Services Branch. “In some cases, victims don’t realize that what has happened to them is reportable to police, even if it wasn’t a crime. As members of marginalized communities, victims may also be reluctant to come forward due to negative experiences with police. We hear those concerns, we are working to remedy them, and we want to make reporting as easy as possible for anyone who has experienced hate.”

A hate incident is a non-criminal action committed against a person or property, motivated in whole or in part by the suspect’s hate, bias or prejudice towards an identifiable group, defined by real or perceived colour, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual identity, gender identity or expression, or any other similar factor. Examples of hate incidents can include racial comments or slurs, or offensive symbols.

These types of incidents are not defined as crimes under the Canadian Criminal Code, and as such, charges cannot be laid. However, HCVEU investigators gather information about hate incidents and track them, as they can provide valuable information about subjects involved in hateful activities in Edmonton, as well as opportunities for intervention to prevent the escalation of hateful behaviour.

A hate crime, on the other hand, is a criminal offence committed against a person or property, motivated in whole or in part by the suspect’s hate, bias or prejudice towards an identifiable group, defined by real or perceived colour, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual identity, gender identity or expression, or any other similar factor. Examples of hate crimes include direct threats of violence, graffiti, distribution of hate literature, and destruction of religious property or symbols.

Hate crimes should be reported over the phone, using 911 for emergencies, or 780-423-4567 for non-emergencies. This allows the urgency of the crime to be assessed immediately and dispatched appropriately, so patrol officers can respond as soon as possible.

Background: Hate Crime by the Numbers

Table 1: Reported Hate Crime and Hate Incidents Totals