[PA] Proposing a dv policy for Pittsburgh Police

Proposal on domestic violence policy angers FOP
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
By Karen Roebuck kroebuck@tribweb.com
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Excerpts: The Pittsburgh police union says a domestic violence policy proposed Tuesday for police employees comes with ridiculous requirements and unfairly holds them to higher standards than other city workers. "It's just a matter of a sense of fair play," said James Malloy, president of Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1. "This has just gotten out of control here. We don't have an epidemic of officers abusing their spouses"... "Domestic violence is something that is a clear and obvious problem in our community," said City Council President Doug Shields, who proposed the policy at yesterday's council meeting. "To me, domestic violence is the wellspring of a lot of bad things that happen in our society... The proposed law stems from a public outcry that followed the June promotions of three police officers with allegations of domestic violence or disturbances in their pasts. None was convicted. The proposal also would help prevent domestic violence on the force, because it calls for stricter screening during the hiring process and more intervention when warning signs are seen, Shields said. Shirl Regan, executive director of the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, praised the policy and said she supports all the provisions. "It's just a beginning"...