Abuse of Power

THE clearinghouse on police-perpetrated domestic violence

...the impact of culture and policy on female officers

Taking Action: Safety Provisions and Strategies

Plan for Your Safety

Keep your safety the primary consideration in every decision you make. You are particularly vulnerable because you must rely on the integrity and discretion of your fellow officers and supervisors to intervene and provide protection. Trust that you know your safest course of action. Others may give you advice, but you know your abuser better than anyone else. You are in the best position to predict what s/he will do in retaliation for what you or others do.

Explore Your Options

When exploring your options, consider what you already know about your employing department. This might help you predict how the department will respond if you report the abuse, and help you decide what steps you are willing to take. Anticipating the potential outcomes of your actions can assist you in preparing for those outcomes.

How a department responds when an employee or employees are involved in domestic abuse defines the integrity, philosophy and policy of the agency. Possible actions and intervening measures include:

Consult an attorney about your rights and what legal recourse is available if the department discriminates against you or fails to accommodate your safety needs on the job.

Counseling

Your department may offer in-house counseling resources, but many officers distrust its confidentiality. Consider getting counseling and legal information from a community domestic violence agency. Community domestic violence counselors/advocates are mandated to honor your confidentiality. Though they are not likely to be experts on the police or firefighting culture, they have an understanding of the dynamics of power and control. They can help you weigh your options and work out a safety plan.

It's true that going to a domestic violence agency or support group in your area may be awkward. You may have been or even will be the responding officer to domestic calls from the women in the support group. You may provide security for your local shelter. You may be afraid that identifying yourself as a domestic violence victim will shatter their confidence that you are able to protect them.

You also may be confronted with the dilemma that your abuser accessed services first by claiming to be the victim. You will then be unable to receive services.

Whether you are in a traditional or same-sex relationship, you might want to inform the department that you are receiving counseling at a community agency. They are likely to be more vigilant knowing that someone outside of the department is monitoring their response.

Shelter

Finding respite in a domestic violence shelter may not be a viable option for you because your abuser knows the location of shelters in your area.

Lesbian officers face additional dilemmas. Not all domestic violence counselors are comfortable working with lesbian victims. Some counselors and community resource providers are not knowledgeable about or sensitive to lesbian issues.

If you are not out, going to anyone for help means revealing your secret. Your local GLBT organization may be able to provide general support and counseling. You can call the National Gay and Lesbian Hotline to learn about resources in your area.

Orders of Protection

Consider all the implications of getting an order of protection. You may want to avoid involving the court or the department in your personal life. You may know that getting an order will only escalate the abuser's violence. You may not want to hurt either of your careers. Know your department's policy regarding protective orders.

Pressing criminal charges or seeking an order means you will have to divulge your private life to court personnel. This may not only be personally awkward, but professionally risky. The judges, prosecutors, clerks and other staff may change their way of relating to you after they learn that you are a victim.

Administrative Orders of Protection

Law enforcement agencies have a degree of authority over officers, within the bounds of collective bargaining agreements and state law, which may provide a type of protective order outside the civil or criminal court system.

An Administrative Order of Protection is a direct order from the command level to refrain from specific conduct, such as going to your home and workplace, or contacting you via phone, e-mail, or a third party. It is enforceable by the department and if the officer violates it, the department can discipline him for insubordination. Explore this option in place of or in addition to any civil order.

Gather Information

There are many firefighters and police officers who are surviving abusive relationships. Knowing that other women have dealt with these issues may help you regain control of your life. We suggest that you read Crossing the Threshold: Female Officers and Police-Perpetrated Domestic Violence. It will help you understand the network of power within which abusive officers operate. Also consider contacting some of the organizations listed on our Links page for support.

Advocate that your police and fire associations include officer-involved domesticviolence training at conferences. The International Association of Women Police and Women in Federal Law Enforcement are national organizations that advocate for women in law enforcement.The International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services and National Association of Female Paramedics are also strong advocates.

Remember that you are the only one with enough information to make a totally informed decision regarding your own safety. If you want to discuss your options before taking specific steps, contact Diane Wetendorf.