The New York Police Department has formed the Racially and Ethnically Motivated Extremism (R.E.M.E) unit within the department’s intelligence division to fight homegrown far right extremism, domestic terrorism and organized hate groups.

“The unit is focused on identifying any trends and any signs of racial and ethnic extremism so it can be acted on before any terror or any bias crime occurs,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio."It will directly take on the hate groups that are trying to spread in this country and that pose a threat to so many communities."

The unit went into operation over the summer and has been diligently working since, said NYPD Deputy Intelligence and Counter-terrorism Commissioner John Miller.

While recruitment is still ongoing the team will eventually include 25 people, including detectives and analysts from several sectors who will use a number of tools, including online monitoring of extremist networks, says a news report.