tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11646417.post6960970849000006636..comments2024-03-26T16:11:40.327-07:00Comments on Behind The Blue Wall: [MN] Progressive Policing: 3 departments drafted polices & trainings to handle officer-involved domestic violenceBehind The Blue Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04429113203939514642noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11646417.post-63075639373632216002011-04-17T18:54:27.994-07:002011-04-17T18:54:27.994-07:00AGENCIES ADOPT SEXUAL VIOLENCE POLICY
Mille Lacs ...AGENCIES ADOPT SEXUAL VIOLENCE POLICY <br />Mille Lacs Messenger <br />Written By Brett Larson <br />THURSDAY, 14 APRIL 2011 08:40<br /><br />Three Mille Lacs County law enforcement agencies have teamed up with Pearl Crisis Center on a policy regarding officer-involved domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault.<br /><br />Milaca Police Department, Princeton Police Department and Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department have all adopted the policy and undergone training.<br /><br />Pearl received a grant to develop the policy and train officers. The funding came from the Crystal Judson Domestic Violence Protocol Program, which became part of the Violence Against Women Act in 2005.<br /><br />Crystal Judson was shot and killed by her estranged husband, David Brame, in 2003. Brame was chief of police in Tacoma, Wash. <br /><br />The murder took place the day after city officials said Judson’s claims of abuse would not be investigated because it was a “private matter.”<br /><br />After her death, Judson’s father, Lane Judson, started fighting for federal legislation to encourage law enforcement agencies to address officer-involved domestic violence.<br /><br />Three months after Judson’s death, the state of Washington passed a law requiring law enforcement agencies to adopt officer-involved domestic violence policies. Several others have followed suit.<br /><br />The city of Red Wing was the first in Minnesota to adopt a policy, and Red Wing Chief of Police Tim Sletten came to Mille Lacs County to help train local agencies.<br /><br />Mille Lacs is the first county to address the issue. Beginning in 2009, recently retired Milaca Police Chief Mike Mott worked with Judy Pearson, the executive director of Pearl, to create the new policy, which deals with prevention, reporting, record-keeping, investigation and discipline. Throughout the process, those involved worked on improving services to victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault. The group hosted a statewide training for law enforcement officers and a separate one for advocates in May of 2010.<br /><br />Mille Lacs County Attorney Jan Jude, who was involved in the process from the beginning, said a policy is needed because it can be more difficult for a victim to report a crime and be believed if the offender is in law enforcement. She said the policy also protects police officers, who may find themselves in a bind when a fellow officer is accused of domestic violence. With the policy in place, officers know exactly what is required of them.<br /><br />Mille Lacs County Sheriff Brent Lindgren said his office participated in the training but chose not to adopt the policy because the Sheriffs’ Association is working on a statewide policy and procedure manual, which will include a policy on officer-involved domestic violence.<br /><br />He said smaller police departments like Isle and Onamia often sign on to policies and procedures of local sheriff’s offices.<br /><br />Photo: Milaca Chief of Police Todd Quaintance, Mille Lacs Tribal Police investigator Russ Jude, Mille Lacs County Attorney Jan Jude and Krista McFarland of Pearl were among those who developed and adopted a new policy on officer-involved domestic violence. Photo by Brett Larson.<br /><br />http://www.millelacsmessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38009:agencies-adopt-sexual-violence-policy&catid=34:current-news&Itemid=76Behind The Blue Wallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04429113203939514642noreply@blogger.com