The Denver Police Department announced on Monday the creation of its new bias-motivated investigative unit, days after a transgender woman was assaulted in Denver.
Police detectives handled bias-motivated crimes prior to the creation of the new unit, but now a sergeant and two detectives will oversee the investigations. The police department defines bias-motivated crimes as those committed against people or property because of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.
Denver police reviewed 62 cases that included a bias-motivated component in 2018, according to the agency.
The latest case has gained attention from the Human Rights Campaign and the Matthew Shepard Foundation, and the woman’s friends have organized fundraisers to help her.
The transgender woman likely suffered a broken jaw when a man punched her three times and fled in the early morning of April 28 in the 2000 block of Market Street, according to a police report of the incident.
Officer Carlos Montoya, a Denver police spokesman, said the new unit is investigating the attack even though it has not yet been designated a bias-motivated crime.
has been set up for victim, who was identified as Amber Nicole and described as a “beloved trans performer and Denver socialite with a heart of gold.”
“It should shake the entire community,” the page stated. “We MUST stand for our trans sister.”
for Wednesday evening, featuring drag performances.
What happened to Amber Nicole last week in Denver is just one terrifying example of the violence targeted at trans women every day in our country and the world.
Please support Amber’s recovery and stand up against violence in your community.
— Matthew Shepard Foundation (@MattShepardFDN)
The Denver Police Department established a hotline for bias-motivated crime reporting at 720-913-6458 or through email atbiascrimesinfo@denvergov.org. However, anyone who wants to report a crime as it happens should call 911.
