Police Departments And Early Intervention

Beacon of Hope Crisis Center’s law enforcement partnerships have dramatically increased our ability to reach and serve the most vulnerable and needy in our communities at the time we are needed most.  We work extremely hard to acquire the knowledge and training necessary to support and educate our police partners.  By working collaboratively with law enforcement, we can achieve our purpose of ending the cycle of domestic violence gripping our communities.

Domestic violence has become more not less pervasive in the last few years.  It impacts 1 in 4 households.  There are no boundaries it has not breached, be it racial, socioeconomic, educational, or geographic.  Every community is affected. We have learned much from research and experience.  Police departments need more (and more in-depth) training as early intervention not only cuts down on domestic violence incidences, but also curbs escalations that result in homicides like the one involving Officer Breann Leath earlier this year.  Necessary training to achieve these goals must increase.  Police departments need solutions that would allow officers to attend training without being also on duty to answer calls. 

Beacon of Hope Crisis Center is an Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Approved Training Provider.  We provide, free of charge, training to police departments on domestic violence and sexual assault crimes.  We will bend over backwards to accommodate schedules and offer multiple options (in-person and online) for training.  We partner with Police Department’s to provide advocacy services to domestic violence and sexual assault victims of crimes.  We provide tools and resources to the officers and help by taking care of the victims while officers are dealing with the perpetrators. 

We have police partners that really get it.  They grant write with us and have a dedicated Domestic Violence Detective, recognizing that domestic violence cases are different from typical battery cases and should be worked differently.  Those police partners communicate, co-promote and work with us on a much bigger level treating us as true partners in service to the community.  Most of our police partners are service oriented and make it a personal mission to positively impact every single person in their community.  Those police partners are helmed by Chiefs who set the tone for addressing domestic violence and sexual assault and take swift action when any officer violates their clearly outlined views on service. 

Unfortunately, we also have police partners that are only half-way there and some that do the bare minimum.  From those departments we consistently hear that the decision makers just don't have time for deeper discussions, self-analysis or outside assistance.  We want and do help those communities as much as we are permitted.  Two obstacles impede those departments’ effectiveness in serving domestic violence victims.  First, leadership often does not view domestic violence as a serious issue and their attitude permeates the department.  Second, they do not allow outside training by experts but instead rely upon internal training.  Internal knowledge has its limits, however, and perpetuates isolation and a tendency to be stuck in the mindset of “this is the way we have always done it.”  It multiplies implicit bias against victims.  External training by experts in the field can breathe new life into a department and its ability to serve its community.

If a domestic dispute escalates to the level of a 911 call, it warrants a follow up by a domestic violence advocate.  We advocate for all intimate partner and family violence victims.  Sadly, we have run up against attitudes in some police departments that “we don't get involved in marital spats...”  Essentially giving permission to perpetrators to beat their partners.  Similarly, and equally as harmful, is the exasperation felt by many officers who do not have training and education on the reason’s victims might not immediately leave an abuser.  Frustrations lead to statements like “if we have to come back here, everyone is going to jail.”  Of course, that does not deter the abuser.  When they go back, and they do, what do you think happens to the children and the pets in those homes?  What do you think happens to the futures of those arrested?  Did you know that female victims in this exact situation are repeatedly incarcerated even longer than the male abuser? 

We only hear from these uncooperative police departments when the evidence of domestic violence is undeniable, and the victim is severely battered or injured by weapon and in the ER.   No longer are we able to educate and protect the victim, showing escape routes, support and understanding.  No longer can the abuser get help needed to stop the abuse.  Early intervention by trained officers and advocates can benefit both the abused and the abuser, and subsequently their household and community.  The sooner we are involved, the more likely the perpetrator can seek intervention/counseling services before landing a life-sentence in prison for causing physical life-altering harm or murder. 

If you are a police department that has in the past held the view that domestic violence was merely “marital spats” or whining by people who won’t stand up for themselves, we hope your eyes have been opened recently.  We ask that you observe, take notes from, and talk to our police partners that are doing things right.  The point of partnership is early intervention.  Research, statistics, and experience confirms that early intervention saves lives.  We ask all Police Department’s to step up and be true partners.  Contact our CEO today to partner with us or to learn more about partnering with an agency in your state or region to better serve your community.

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