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Problems in calling the police...
- He is the police.
- Police may be slow in responding to calls from your home.
- When responding officers - his colleagues and friends - respond to
your call they:
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- Use their discretion because department policy is not enforced or
nonexistent.
- Attempt to talk you out of pressing charges.
- Sympathize with the abuser; automatically responding to "officer in
distress".
- Accuse you of lying or threaten you with charges of mutual abuse and
mutual arrest.
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- He claims that he was defending himself
against you, restraining you from hurting him, or that your wounds are
self-inflicted.
- You have betrayed the police family.
- The department may show greater concern for the department's liability
or public image than for your safety.
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Misuse of the legal system...
- Knowledge of laws and procedures enables abuser to tell you "his"
version of the law.
- He purposely misrepresents pieces of criminal or civil law that are
advantageous to him and detrimental to you.
- You do not have access to remedies available to civilian victims:
- State's Attorney may discourage you from signing a complaint or may
refuse to press charges against a police officer.
- Judges often reprimand both parties, insinuating that you are both at
fault.
- Courts and legal system are your abuser's daily work environment while
you are intimidated by the courtroom, judge and lawyers.
- Officers often personally know the judges, bailiffs, prosecutors,
attorneys.
- Officers are professionally trained to present themselves well in
court. He knows what to say and how to shade the truth or to turn the
evidence.
- He has fellow officers (in uniform) accompany him to court to
intimidate you and others present.
- Officers are allowed in the courtroom wearing their weapons.
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When a police officer is the victim of a civilian abuser...
- The abuser may maneuver you into drawing your weapon in self defense.
- Your career is jeopardized.
- Normal resources for help may not be available.
- You may be afraid to access medical care because health care providers
may contact law enforcement.
- You may be afraid that use of your medical insurance will inform your
employer of your situation.
- Fellow officers may no longer trust your ability to protect them; you
may be perceived as unable to protect yourself.
- Department policy may mandate that fellow officers report knowledge of
your situation, thereby prohibiting you from seeking their support.
- No one really believes that a police officer can be a victim.
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When a police officer is the victim of a police officer abuser...
- Both parties have weapons.
- The abuser may maneuver you into drawing your weapon in self defense.
- You may not be believed because you do not fit the stereotype of the
battered woman (passive, submissive, timid).
- Your career is jeopardized.
- You are perceived as a traitor because you broke the code of silence.
- You may be ostracized by colleagues.
- Response to your calls for back-up may not be timely.
- Normal resources for help are not available.
- The abuser and other officers may pressure you to quit your job.
- Fellow officers may perceive your presence to be a risk.
- You may be afraid to access medical care because health care providers
may contact law enforcement.
- You may be afraid that use of your medical insurance will inform your
employer of your situation.
- No one really believes that a police officer can be a victim.
- Code of silence forbids fellow officers from offering assistance to you
or to criticize the abuser.
OFFICERS WHO ARE VICTIMS SHOULD CHECK YOUR DEPARTMENT'S POLICY
Department policy may mandate that fellow officers report knowledge of
your situation, thereby prohibiting you from seeking their support.
Department policy may mandate that you report knowledge of the abusive
officer, whereby you could be disciplined for not reporting your own
abuse.
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