Fiscal Note
The Police Department 2015 Operating Budget includes $60,000 for LEAP contracted services with DAIS. Subsequent year funding will be requested in the Police Department's Operating Budget requests and is subject to the approval by the Common Council.
Title
Funding Law Enforcement Advocate Partnership (LEAP) through Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
Body
WHEREAS, domestic violence continues to be an issue that affects all residents of Madison and Dane County, including a recent homicide/suicide, and;
WHEREAS, the Madison Police Department (MPD) is often a first responder to domestic violence calls and is frequently engaged in resolving domestic violence situations, and;
WHEREAS, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, Inc. (DAIS) is a critical community services agency that provides Madison and Dane County resident education and training, crisis information, emergency shelter, and support groups for abuse victims, and;
WHEREAS, the City of Madison Police Department files over 1,300 criminal charges with the Dane County District Attorney’s Office related to the investigation of domestic violence, and;
WHEREAS, in 2011 a successful pilot project called Law Enforcement Advocate Partnership (LEAP) was created with the Madison Police South District and DAIS designed to support victims of domestic violence by creating a mechanism for Police Officers to make a referral to DAIS and a staff member follows-up directly with the victim, and;
WHEREAS, this partnership resumed in 2013 and expanded in 2014 to all police districts; and,
WHEREAS, in 2014 through September, MPD made 303 referrals based upon a very specifically designed criteria, and DAIS contacted all of them, resulting in 178 follow-up conversations; and,
WHEREAS, 97% of victims contacted and surveyed reported that they learned at least one new strategy or resources that will help them plan for their safety; and,
WHEREAS, MPD and DAIS have reviewed and improved the referral protocol pro...
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