[CAN] Truth trumps privacy: Police Chief McMullan identifies herself as a victim of (cop-on-cop) domestic violence

...[Belleville police Chief Cory] McMullan's husband, David, is a recently retired police officer who served, like McMullan, with Peterborough-Lakefield police... “Common practice of police services, including the Belleville Police Service, is to not identify anyone involved in domestic incidents in order to protect victims and their families. I feel that given my position in the community it is important to acknowledge that I am the victim,” her statement reads... Both she and her husband, David McMullan, 53, served on the Peterborough-Lakefield police force before his recent retirement...

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EXCERPTS FROM NEWS THIS PAST WEEK:

POLICE CHIEF'S HUSBAND CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC ASSAULT
CTV.ca News Staff
Aug. 11 2010
[Excerpts] An Ontario police chief has confirmed she was the victim in a domestic incident that police responded to at her home last weekend. Belleville police Chief Cory McMullan released a statement about the Aug. 6 incident saying that "the incident did result in injuries which required medical treatment. I cannot speak further at this time as this case is before the courts."... A Belleville police news release recently described an Aug. 6 domestic incident that took place "at an east end home in Belleville." Police say the victim "reported she was struck by a male in the home." The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of her injuries and later released. A 53-year-old Belleville man was charged with assault. [Full article here]

POLICE CHIEF VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Belleville Intelligencer
Aug 13, 2010
[Excerpts] ...McMullan providing an explanation for why the police service has not issued a public statement about the weekend incident. She wrote that it is "Common practice of police services, including the Belleville Police Service, to not identify anyone involved in domestic incidents in order to protect victims and their families. I feel that given my position in the community it is important to acknowledge that I am the victim"... She wrapped up the release by adding that "In the meantime, I wish to thank all of those who have provided overwhelming support to us through this ordeal and all those who will do so in the days and weeks ahead"... Although city police did not release the name of the accused man in the assault complaint filed by McMullan, a 53-year-old man was arrested, charged with assault and assault causing bodily harm and released on a promise to appear in court on Sept. 13. McMullan's husband, David, is a recently retired police officer who served, like McMullan, with Peterborough-Lakefield police... [Full article here]

PUBLIC LIFE, PUBLIC VICTIM: POLICE CHIEF SPEAKS AFTER HER ALLEGED DOMESTIC ASSAULT
National Post
Joseph Brean
Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010
[Excerpts] The day that ended with Belleville’s police chief in hospital after an alleged assault by her husband... Chief McMullan’s own officers were called to her house... Both she and her husband, David McMullan, 53, served on the Peterborough-Lakefield police force before his recent retirement. Belleville Police issued a news bulletin soon after that included no name, not even the accused’s, according to common practice with domestic violence cases. “The victim reported she was struck by a male in the home,” it read. That is where things stood over the weekend, as police called in an outside force to investigate, and Chief McMullan, 47, faced the harrowing prospect of talking to her two children about her husband’s alleged crime. Nothing is proven, and little is being disclosed in advance of a court date next month... For a domestic assault victim to announce her identity is a rarity. But for a top public official, anonymity is impossible, and privacy is not like most people’s. Chief McMullan’s statement shows she struggled with this question, knowing that “unfounded allegations and rumours” can thrive harmfully after domestic violence, and she concluded that, in this case, truth trumps privacy. “Common practice of police services, including the Belleville Police Service, is to not identify anyone involved in domestic incidents in order to protect victims and their families. I feel that given my position in the community it is important to acknowledge that I am the victim,” her statement reads... Her deputy chief on Wednesday declined to comment out of respect for her privacy. [Full article here]

BELLEVILLE’S ABUZZ OVER POLICE CHIEF AS VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The Star
Aug 12 2010
[Excerpts] ...Her husband David McMullan, a 53-year-old retired police officer, has been charged with assault and released on a promise to appear in court Sept. 30...BMcMullan has indicated she will stay in her post, saying she will continue to be dedicated and committed as Belleville’s chief of police... [Full article here]

CHIEF'S ADMISSION BRAVE, IMPORTANT AND IMPERATIVE
Belleville Intelligencer Editorial
Aug 12 2010
It was a stark admission. One made with courage and one that few women can publicly make, unfortunately. "I am acknowledging that I am the unnamed victim in a domestic incident that took place on Friday August 6th at my home and was recently reported by Belleville media"... As the TV media from outside Quinte twigged to the story Wednesday, we suspect her phone rang off the hook at police headquarters. The chief has wisely and correctly decided to decline all further comment — there is, she underscored, a criminal matter now proceeding before the courts and it is not proper, advisable or legally prudent to comment further. Perhaps her bare-bones statement Tuesday may even hurt the Crown's case against the defendant in this case. But, it had to be done and we applaud her courage in doing so... Again, for a woman in her position — who knows through a lengthy career in policing the damage domestic abuse can bring on a family — it was more than "important:" it was imperative.... [Full article here]

SUPPORT FOR POLICE CHIEF
Belleville Intelligencer
W. Brice Mcvicar
Aug 12 2010
[Excerpts] It takes courage and strength for a woman to publicly admit she has been the victim of domestic assault, says the executive director for a local women's shelter and counselling service. Though Pam Havery said it would be inappropriate for her to speak specifically about Belleville Police Chief Cory McMullan's revelation that she is the alleged victim of domestic violence, she applauded any woman who is willing to go public with information pertaining to the subject. Havery, executive director for the Three Oaks Foundation, Shelter and Counselling Services for Abused Women and Children, said the chief's announcement could have a positive impact on other women in the community. "I think it's important in our society to acknowledge that domestic violence can happen to any woman. Any of us can possibly be victims of violence and it does cross and impact all women regardless of their socioeconomic status, professional status, class and it's an issue that impacts all women," Havery said... Domestic violence is a crime, but it is also a social issue which needs to be addressed, Havery said. When women are "brave enough" to speak out about the issue it helps to raise awareness in terms of how common and prevalent it is, she said. "What I can say is when women go public then those women who are experiencing violence are reassured that they are not alone," she said. "Part of the cycle of violence is the isolation that women experience and the secrecy and the controlling efforts. When women who are victims are aware of a more public understanding of domestic violence, it encourages them to consider to be brave enough to come out and seek services that are available." [Full article here]
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