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Police awarded S.T.O.P grant |
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Saturday, 21 November 2009 |
By LEE COLEMAN
Assistant Editor
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Domestic violence against women has long been an issue for public safety officials and the judicial system. As reported cases seem to be rising, the need for training and victim services has increased as well.
Now, thanks to the 2009 Recovery Act S.T.O.P. (Services-Training-Officers-Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Grant Program and the state District Attorney's Council, the city of Guymon police department has been awarded a grant in the amount of $46,036.77 to hire a domestic violence officer
"This new officer will work directly on any cases involving violence against women that are tied directly to domestic violence, sexual assault and so on," said Police Chief Eddie Adamson. "They will be conducting community education courses to serve our community in areas which have been identified by the District Attorney's Council as remote locations due to the distance of the service areas and under-served population because we have such a large minority population in Guymon."
According to the grant application, the purpose of the grant is to "develop and strengthen the criminal justice system's response to violence against women and to support and enhance services for victims. The program encourages victim service providers, prosecution, law enforcement and the courts to implement coordinated, multidisciplinary approaches to address domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking."
"We have been identified as an agency that would make good on the grant." added Adamson while noting that the county of Pottawatomie and Guymon were the only law enforcement agencies in the state to receive the grant.
District Attorney Mike Boring said the steady rise of domestic violence cases in his office are more a product of better training and education of law enforcement officers rather than an increase in violence.
"We are excited about the grant," said Boring. "The domestic violence issue is extremely difficult to deal with and has been a priority for my office and the chief [Adamson]. "We have worked together to develop good cases. We have been doing a lot of specialized training.
"This is a tremendous program and is very much needed."
The grant award must go before city council for final approval before the position can be filled.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 November 2009 )
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