Howard County police are launching a new unit that officials say will better tackle the growing problem of domestic violence.
“We recognize that these investigations are best served by officers who are specially trained to understand the issues surrounding domestic violence cases,” said acting Chief William McMahon, announcing the new team Monday.
“Domestic violence cases are on the rise not just in Howard County but other places as well,” police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said.
The department obtained a $400,000 two-year federal grant to create a unit comprising a police supervisor, officer and administrative employee.
The responsibilities of the new team include:
» Receiving specialized training in domestic violence issues and devoting all their time to these cases
» Helping victims obtain protective orders
» Working to increase the number of arrests for domestic violence crimes
» Developing a tracking system to identify repeat offenders
» Focusing attention on foreign-born victims, who may not report domestic violence incidents because of language or cultural barriers.
In Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties, an officer in each district is assigned to work exclusively with domestic violence.
In each Baltimore City police district, there is a small domestic violence unit, along with the department?s central unit.
The Harford County and Carroll County sheriff?s officers also have domestic violence units.
AT A GLANCE
Domestic violence offenses in Howard
» 2005: 804
» 2004: 753
» 2003: 675
» 2002: 676
» 2001: 665
Domestic violence by county in 2005
» Anne Arundel: 1,259
» Baltimore City: 4,991
» Baltimore County: 4,829
» Carroll: 418
» Harford: 685
» Howard: 804
Source: Maryland State Police
? Examiner Staff Writer Megan McIlory contributed to this report.
