Crimes in which the victim or victims are singled out based upon factors like race, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity are called “hate crimes” and the federal government...

Crimes in which the victim or victims are singled out based upon factors like race, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity are called “hate crimes” and the federal government and many states have legislation that increases the punishment for crimes committed against persons within these groups. Most legislations regarding hate crimes are based upon a history of identity-based bias such as race or ethnicity. In 2016, Louisiana was the first state to include law enforcement officers within the definition of groups covered by hate crime laws. Louisiana already had a law that increased penalties for crimes committed against emergency responders. The hate crime law provides that a crime against a law enforcement officer is a separate additional offense, in addition to the original offense and the offense committed against an emergency responder, and is punishable by up to five more years imprisonment. The law is the first to define a hate crime based upon the victim’s occupation.

Do you think it is justified to include law enforcement officers as a group protected by hate crime laws? Explain.