UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Police and Public Safety (UPPS) reminds the Penn State community that UPPS is here to serve every member of the community, and discrimination, bias, harassment and intimidation are unacceptable.
In Pennsylvania, a hate crime, or ethnic intimidation, is illegal. It is a criminal act motivated by ill will or hatred toward a victim due to their race, religion, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, and sexual or gender identity.
All law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania can investigate hate crimes, including University Police.
If you believe you are, or might be, the victim of a hate crime, we urge you to immediately report it to local law enforcement.
-
If the incident is happening now, or just happened, your safety is paramount. Call 9-1-1 immediately.
-
If an incident occurred in the past, but you did not report it to police, it is still OK to report it now.
-
If you know others observed the incident, be sure to tell police there were witnesses.
-
Quickly follow up with a tip to the FBI at fbi.gov/tips.
UPPS is devoted to the prevention, intervention and investigation of hate crimes.
“We understand the importance of vigorously and effectively responding to ethnic intimidation,” said Charlie Noffsinger, associate vice president of University Police and Public Safety.
UPPS is committed to thoroughly investigating all reports of ethnic intimidation and criminal charges can be filed following the results of an investigation. Members of the Penn State community may also be subject to independent disciplinary action by the University.
“Everyone in the Penn State community has a role in stopping hate and creating a safe, inclusive community,” said Iris Richardson, director of diversity, equity and inclusion for University Police and Public Safety.