NEW YORK — The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) have launched a new mobile Web site that will enable law enforcement officers to access ADL’s expert information on hate symbols, international terrorist symbols, and hate crime indicators from anywhere using their handheld mobile devices.
The site includes graphics and numerical symbols and acronyms used as shorthand by hate groups, with background on each symbol’s meaning and history. The new resource will help detectives and patrol officers to decipher the significance of hate symbols, tattoos or graffiti from the scene of a crime.
“This new tool is the latest in ADL’s ongoing efforts to assist law enforcement in the fight against hate crimes, criminal extremism, and terrorism,” said Abraham Foxman, ADL national director. “We are very proud to partner with the IACP to offer this resource to law enforcement across the country and to put vital information about extremist and hate symbols at their fingertips.
ADL was the first to launch an online database of extremist symbols in 2000. The new mobile web site repackages ADL’s expert information on hate and international terrorist symbols in an effort to make it easier for officers around the country to access the symbols using the latest handheld technology.
“The IACP is proud to partner with the ADL on this very important initiative,” said Bart R. Johnson, executive director of IACP. “This will be a very helpful tool for the law enforcement officers on the front line of fighting all forms of hate and crimes in our communities.”
The launch coincided with the IACP’s 119th annual conference and exhibition, which took place Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 in San Diego, where 15,000 law enforcement professionals from around the world will exchanged the latest information, technology and best practices.
