Photo – Brett Gustafson

The city’s domestic violence pilot program — designed to build a more proactive and coordinated response between police, social services agencies, and prosecutors — has now expanded to the 003 Police District located at 7040 South Cottage Grove Avenue. The expansion also brings key upgrades including a more expansive role for service agencies, improved technology to help determine risk, and new police resources in domestic violence court.

The pilot program originally launched in the 14th Police District in May 2014, using an evidence-based assessment form to help police identify households at elevated risk for serious injury and coordinate a response by detectives, prosecutors and service agencies. Patrol officers use a new assessment form, including a series of questions designed to help determine if a victim is at elevated risk of injury.

A special protocol is triggered if the victim is at elevated risk for injury, ensuring the household is prioritized for an immediate follow up investigation.

The early results from the 14th District pilot were promising:

• 53% increase in arrests for domestic violence despite a 9% decrease in domestic violence incidents compared to the same time in 2013

• 9% increase in referrals to the Domestic Violence Hotline initiated by CPD

• Individuals who contacted the Hotline for assistance reported very positive interactions with the police officers who answered the calls for service.

“When we combine data-driven law enforcement with social services we can help victims escape abuse that puts them in constant jeopardy,” said Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Commissioner Evelyn Diaz. “Our shared goal is to break the cycle of violence, and the continued expansion and improvement of this program are important steps toward that goal.”

Under the expansion, service agencies, namely Family Rescue and the Domestic Violence Hotline, will have an even more expansive role. When patrol officers respond to a domestic violence call, they will ask the victim the questions contained in an assessment form. With the victim’s consent, officers will e-mail that assessment to service providers, allowing trained domestic violence workers to conduct an in-depth assessment of the victims’ needs and offer safety planning plus a customized range of services, including counseling, shelter, or legal help.

“Since the implementation of the pilot, advocates at our agency have been able to connect with domestic violence victims within 24 hours of reporting the abuse to the police,” said Himagiri K. Sarma, Program Director for the Family Rescue Court Advocacy Program. “This is a major step forward that greatly increases the chances that a victim will avail themselves of services, and of the court system.”

In two incidents, an advocate was able to reach out to the victim less than a day after the incident, arranged to meet that victim in court that day, and assisted her in prosecuting the domestic violence case. Just 24-hours after the police report was made, the victim went to court with court advocate support, assisted the State in the prosecution of her case, and obtained an Order of Protection. The offender accepted a plea, and the case was complete. The quick connection between the advocate and the victim should lead to increased prosecution of cases, and increased use of other victim services.

Chicago Police are also improving their technology as part of the expanded pilot, distributing new smartphones with integrated broadband wireless communications capabilities. These smartphones will connect police officers with advanced databases and allow them to immediately determine the history of previous calls for service at a given location, previously-reported incidents and arrests (including domestic violence incidents), and outstanding criminal warrants for offenders who may be at the scene.

“No victim of domestic violence in the City of Chicago should ever have to face their struggle alone. This new partnership is helping us support more victims in a more effective way and helping them realize that they have an entire city standing behind them,” said Mayor Emanuel. “We have made progress but there is a lot more work to do and this collaboration will help us work better as a city to break the cycle of violence and make sure that every victim has the support they need every step of the way.”

Detectives are also offering new resources in domestic violence court, including the addition of a Sergeant supervisor and a second detective. The additional detectives will assist in preparing cases for felony charges, contacting victims and witnesses, and other duties to provide better service for victims of domestic violence.

Roughly 4,000 officers have participated in new Department-wide domestic violence training. The curriculum focuses on latest practices for domestic violence response including interview techniques, serving orders of protections, and psychological dynamics for domestic violence victims. Additionally, roughly 500 officers from the 3rd and 14th police districts have already participated in a two-week intensive training session on domestic violence.