NCJ Number
206563
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 31 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2004 Pages: 60,62,63
Date Published
July 2004
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the problem of domestic violence in police families and describes the National Police Family Violence Prevention Project.
Abstract
Domestic violence within police families has long been covered up by police departments, which have traditionally preferred “don’t ask, don’t tell” policies when it comes to this issue of domestic violence within their ranks. The National Police Family Violence Prevention Project is a multidisciplinary approach to reducing, preventing, and hopefully eradicating the problem of domestic violence in police families. The first goal of the project is to win police approval and support for a program that would force police to address a problem that has long been swept under the rug. Specifically, the program assists agencies in developing domestic violence policies and it provides training and facilitates safe programs for victim-centered outreach and advocacy. Another goal of the program is to break through the police front of “show no weakness and present a united front.” This type of mentality, while useful on the street, is not the best way to approach family problems. Another important goal is to break through the police silence and “spin control” when it comes to issues of domestic violence in police families. Police family violence is considered a public safety issue that can no longer be ignored. Contact information is provided for the National Police Family Violence Prevention Project, which is a non-profit organization.