SJPD steps up to support domestic violence survivors
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- As the St. Joseph community comes together to honor survivors of domestic violence in October, local police are also playing a big part in that effort.
The St. Joseph Police Department has officers specially trained to respond to domestic violence calls. Officers step in to help people in danger and make sure those who need protection get it right away.
Detective Jullian Cecil said when new recruits go through the police academy, they’re taught the basics of domestic violence response. But once they officially join the department, that’s when they really learn how to handle those cases out in the field.
“When we arrive on scene, we separate both parties if they are present and try to look at the totality of the case and make any arrests that needs to be made,” Cecil said.
He emphasized the important role the YWCA plays after a survivor files a report. Once they fill out a short form and answer a few questions, the organization steps in to offer support and connect them with services to help guide them forward.
He mentioned that over the past few years, the number of domestic-related calls in St. Joseph has remained fairly steady, with no major increase or decrease in cases.
“This year we are sitting at approximately 700 domestics which has been a trend within the last few years. So if there’s an issue that’s happening in the moment call 911,” Cecil said.
He said officers completely understand that making a call for help can be difficult — especially if the aggressor is nearby — because it could put the person’s safety at risk.
Cecil added that there have been several cases where pets were put in danger, with aggressors using the threat of harming the animal as a way to intimidate the other person.
“We have the services that you can text 911. We would need to know the address and the dispatcher will text but it may be difficult sometimes since we don’t want to make it obvious that you are texting an officer,” Cecil said.
Cecil emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, saying that once someone reports a concern, the department can begin investigating the situation from there.
“You make a call or text a dispatcher and then the dispatcher will send an officer to the scene and they will make contact with whoever made the phone call to understand the scene,” Cecil explained.
Cecil also mentioned that if a situation doesn’t warrant an arrest, officers will separate both parties for the night and begin investigating the incident from there.
