Police should know outcome of cases of domestic dispute

Commissioner of Police Keith Miller believes that police officers should be involved in cases of domestic dispute, even when these matters have been settled.{{more}}

The Commissioner, speaking at the opening of last week’s two-day workshop for police officers, dealing with the issue, said that because cases of domestic violence which are reported to the police have been recorded, the outcomes should also be noted by the police.

The Commissioner said that the police should also be involved in any type of settlement.

“More often than ever, when we receive reports from victims, we all know in most cases what the end result is. Before we are given an opportunity to investigate and arrest where necessary and bring the perpetrators to justice, victims in most cases who are women, will come back and say ‘Officer, we make it up’.

“For every offence that is reported, there has to be an outcome; so if the outcome is settlement between parties, we have to say that.”

“It must be reflected once the report was received and what was done.”

“Another way for us to intervene is for us to sit and speak with the partners. We cannot say this is your problem…. Where the problem becomes too heavy for us to deal with, in terms of advising the victims and perpetrators, there are agencies where we can seek assistance in dealing with the matter.”

Miller said that the workshop, which he described as timely, would help police officers in handling issues of domestic violence more sensitively and efficiently, and how they can offer advice to victims and offenders.

The workshop, which took place at the Old Montrose Police Station on November 24 and 25, was facilitated by the National Council of Women and Marion House, and funded by the British High Commission for the Eastern Caribbean, saw 40 officers participating in the third of four such workshops.

The Commissioner described the extent of abuse meted to victims as heart breaking, and urged victims to speak out against their abusers.

“How can a man ever think of beating his partner with a cutlass? Come on. How can a man take a firearm and threaten his partner or vice versa?”

“I want to appeal to victims of domestic violence to come out, let us talk, come to the police…. If the victims feel more comfortable going to other agencies to lodge their complaints we appreciate that, but do not sit and suffer… you will not only be threatened with a cutlass or gun, it may be used on you.”(JJ)