Audio Transcript

Ms. Ballew: Protecting individuals’ civil rights…

Ms. Deitle: “It’s not just what we’re legally bound to do, but it’s the right thing to do, it’s the ethical thing to do, and it’s an obligation that we take very seriously.” 

Ms. Ballew: Cynthia Deitle, unit chief for the FBI’s civil rights program, says federal jurisdiction has been expanded with the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009.

Ms Deitle: “We are now permitted to investigate hate crimes which are committed not just based on race, religion, and national origin, but also which are based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability.”  

Ms. Ballew: Church arson can also be a hate crime.

Ms. Deitle: “So if there’s a religious house of worship that is vandalized or damaged in any way, the FBI, along with our partners in Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and local law enforcement, can also use that statute to investigate crimes committed against a structure and not just a human being.”

Ms. Ballew: I’m Denise Ballew of the Bureau, and that’s what’s happening at the “FBI, This Week.”