Victims’ advocates and law enforcement came together Thursday to discuss domestic violence and how it is being addressed in La Plata County.
Police and prosecutors explained how they deal with domestic violence cases, while support groups like Alternative Horizons, Sexual Assault Services Organization, La Plata Youth Services and the 6th Judicial District Probation Department described how they respond to victims and offenders.
In Colorado, police are required to make an arrest in domestic violence cases if they have probable cause – a low level of evidence to suggest a crime was committed by a particular person.
It is important officers are trained how to respond to domestic violence cases so they can restore calm, interview parties and collect evidence in a safe and efficient manner, said Sgt. Rita Warfield, with the Durango Police Department.
Police dispatchers collect as much information as possible from callers, including whether an assault is in progress and whether weapons are involved. Police typically respond to in-progress calls with sirens and two or more officers.
Officers are trained to separate the parties for a couple of reasons: first, to eliminate the threat between individuals, and second, to allow the victim feel more comfortable speaking with law enforcement.
After making an arrest, police notify Alternative Horizons, which will offer assistance to victims. If children are involved, police also notify authorities to make sure they are cared for.
Victims also are given a court date, not because they are required to show up but so they are made aware of the judicial process and can learn more about victim-assistance services.
Lt. Chris Naranjo with the Southern Ute Police Department said domestic violence cases are the most complicated cases police officers can respond to because they are dealing with people in intimate relationships, sometimes with children present, and emotions can run high.
“It’s probably the biggest event in a person’s career, dealing with those kinds of cases,” he said.
Domestic violence calls stayed fairly steady this year compared with last year, according to the few statistics shared Thursday. The Durango Police Department responded to 155 calls in 2015 compared with 160 so far this year. Alternative Horizons served 565 individuals in 2015 compared with 455 as of the third quarter this year.
Thursday’s event was hosted by Alternative Horizons. It is one of four meetings held yearly by the 6th Judicial District Regional Collaborative, a group of agencies that receive a federal grant to provide assistance services for both victims and offenders.
Kim Zook, executive director of Alternative Horizons, said everyone is touched by domestic violence in one way or another.
“It happens in all walks of life,” she said. “It happens across all income levels, across all ethnic groups. ... Whether it’s friends, whether it’s family, whether it’s your neighbor – we’re all touched by it.”
shane@durangoherald.com
