Bias Incident Investigations

It is the policy of Chesterfield Township Police Department to safeguard the state and federal rights of all individuals irrespective of their race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity. Any acts or other crimes designed to infringe upon these rights are viewed very seriously by this agency and will be given high priority.

Bias incident investigations will be conducted in a timely fashion using all appropriate resources to rapidly determine the facts and circumstances surrounding each incident. Careful attention will be given to identifying the motive and cause of the bias incident and to identifying the suspects. Referrals to the Burlington County Prosecutors’ Offices of Victim Witness Advocacy or to the Division on Civil Rights shall be made as appropriate.

Each member of Chesterfield Township Police Department has the responsibility and the obligation to investigate suspected or confirmed bias incidents. Each member must be sensitive to the feelings, needs and fears that may be present in the victim(s) and the community at large, as a result of a suspected or confirmed bias incident.

The public should immediately contact the police when a bias incident occurs.