Spotting Potentially Deadly Domestic Violence Sooner
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Green Bay Police Department says it is taking a new approach, to hopefully prevent domestic violence related deaths, or abuse.
Green Bay Police Commander Jim Runge tells FOX 11 there’s point to this.
“Identifying those victims, who are potentially in danger, and going down the road of becoming a victim of homicide.”
Runge says all officers in Brown County will undergo the training, “Implementing what is called the Maryland Model of Lethality.”
He continued to explain, that officers will be taught to ask certain questions.
“It’s a short questionnaire that is scored, it’s about 11 questions, an officer will ask a victim of domestic violence.”
Officers will be asking questions like is the suspected abuser employed? Do they have children with the person? or has the person ever try to kill them self?
“The questions that are asked right away to victims, on the scene, helps them understand how dangerous this can be,” said Karen Michaels, Golden House Executive Director.
The training is in partnership with agency, a domestic violence program and shelter.
Michaels says if someone answers, “yes” to enough questions, someone from the agency will respond.
“For these victims it will be an immediate connection, between the officer, and the advocate agency, which will be us.”
In what Runge says is effort to end domestic abuse in our area.
“That’s really what this is all about, having more positive outcomes.”
Officers will begin training at the end of the month.
