Philadelphia Police to Improve Domestic Violence Reporting (Part 1)

By Sheryl Rentz on January 27, 2010

According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia experienced a dramatic surge in domestic murders in 2009. While the overall homicide rate in the city dropped 23%, domestic murders were up by an alarming 67%.

When a Philadelphia police officer responds to a domestic violence call, the officer does not have any information about the history of domestic violence in that home, such as the number of previous domestic abuse calls, or whether someone living there has an active restraining order. If there are no obvious signs of violence, an officer can only leave behind a business card with hotline numbers, but offer little else in the way of help to the victim.

In response to the spike in domestic homicides, the Philadelphia Police Department is examining new ways for police officers to investigate, report, and make referrals in domestic abuse cases. The information police gather will allow domestic violence detectives to classify the seriousness of the call and decide whether follow-up is warranted. This will also improve police department partnerships with domestic violence agencies so officers can do more than just hand out a card.

Domestic violence affects not only the victim, but everyone who cares about that person. It affects families from all walks of life, ethnicities and socio-economic levels. At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, we can help you secure a restraining order in Pennsylvania against your abuser. Whether you need to file a domestic abuse charge or are involved in a dispute, please contact experienced Philadelphia domestic violence lawyer Sheryl R. Rentz for a free and confidential consultation.

Source:http://www.philly.com/philly/health_and_science/20091229_Phila__rethinks_how_police_probe_domestic_abuse.html