Domestic Abuse Response Team D.A.R.T.
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Police And Community In Partnership
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THE D.A.R.T. PROGRAM
The traditional response to domestic violence by law enforcement did not work, nor will it ever work. In the past, in most cases, the Officer responding to the scene did not want to be there. He often felt that he was intruding into the family's private affairs and questioned his right to tell them how to conduct themselves. Officers operating in the traditional mode wanted to leave quickly and would threaten that if the he had to return, someone would go to jail. What law enforcement did not recognize until the 1980`s was that by handling these calls in this way, people were dying or being seriously injured, including law enforcement officers.
The Lakeland Police Department's approach to domestic violence has worked. Repeated calls have dropped substantially and first-time calls have increased. The awareness of the DART Program prompts more calls for assistance and referrals. Once again, citizens have faith in the system. Our physical arrest rate in Lakeland is between 40-50 percent for domestic violence calls. Most states have good domestic violence laws, but many departments are not following them. Many are still using the traditional approach that has never worked.
The Lakeland Police Department believes that we can make a difference. We can be 'agents of change' by attempting to lower the homicide rate as it relates to domestic violence. The Department has approved 40-80 hours of additional training for our DART Officers. There are DART Officers on each of the four- (4) patrol squads; with one DART Team squad leader for each squad. These team leaders provide added support and guidance to the remaining Patrol Officers in handling domestic violence calls. Since implementing the DART program in 1990, our domestic violence related homicides have dropped to below 10% per year. In 1999, there were no domestic violence related homicides in our city.
Officers responding to a domestic violence call will stabilize the scene and explain to the victim that they are about to contact the on-call DART Advocate. The Officer will call the advocate and give them a brief summary of the event. Afterwards, the victim will speak to the DART Volunteer Advocate who will then provide the victim with all the necessary information and referrals. The Advocate makes a follow-up contact with the victim on the following day.
The Lakeland Police Department's Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) has earned a national reputation for their efforts in providing quality information,education, referrals, support, follow-up assistance, as well as providing community awareness on domestic violence. Sworn officers and trained community civilian DART advocates work together with human service providers in the surrounding communities. This dynamic cooperation has resulted in a 93% clearance rate for domestic violence cases, which have occurred in Lakeland since the beginning of 1995.
Addressing The Needs of Children Who Witness Domestic Violence
In 1998, the Lakeland Police Department's Domestic Abuse Response Team ( DART) program implemented an innovative way to reach children under the age of 16 who are witnessing violence in their home and addressing their needs through a partnership with the school they attend. The Department's Patrol Officers, upon responding to the scene of a domestic violence call and determining that a child/children witnessed the event, will offer a "Parental Consent Form" for the non-offending parent to sign. This form allows the parent(s) to state they would like for their children to receive help and support through their guidance office the following day at school.
The Officers forward the signed form to the DART office coordinator, who contacts the attending school guidance office. Once contact is made, the form is faxed to the school. Polk County Schools' Guidance Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers and Resource Officers have received a two hour block of training on the effects of children who witness domestic violence in their home.
This concept has been a positive force in addressing the needs of the children as soon as possible after the event. Recently, the Department's DART program received national attention by being one of five programs attached to a Police agency recognized for addressing the prevention of domestic violence in innovative ways.
RECOGNITION
The DART Program Unit has received many awards for their innovative work for the community. Many law enforcement agencies have visited DART or have requested assistance in developing a program like this for their department.
DART ADVOCATES
The trained civilian DART advocates are deeply committed to addressing the needs of our domestic violence clients. We work in collaboration with many agencies to provide prompt services to the victims and their families. This innovative program is an example of an agency having the vision to develop a unit such as DART. Trained advocates working in partnership with our Department's sworn officers in domestic violence cases an example of "community policing" at its best.
TRANSLATORS
Our highly trained civilian advocates are able to assist our multi-lingual community with the following languages: Spanish, German, Portuguese,Creole, French, Farsi, Arabic, Japanese, Urdu, and Chinese.
D.A.R.T. APPLICANTS
Civilian advocates must first apply by completing an application form within the Department, after which they go through a background check and an interview. Once accepted, the civilians are then scheduled for the required 16 hours of training. Once training is completed, the new advocates are ready to sigh up for the on-call patrol schedule and began assisting victims of domestic violence. The advocates will have the opportunity to attend through the department. The 80 hours of DV training by the Criminal Justice Department. Additional training is given monthly at the in-service sessions, to further enhance the advocate's knowledge.
INTERNSHIPS
The DART program also serves as an internship site for high school and college students. The high school students come in to acquire their service hours, with permission from their guidance teacher. The college students, who major in Criminal Justice, may find working in our program beneficial towards their degree.
CELLULAR TELEPHONE PROGRAM
Cellular Telephones are offered to domestic violence victims when they have obtained an injunction. They may keep the phone for up to thirty (30) days.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) 1-863-834-8927 or 834-8941
Peace River Shelter for Women 1-863-413-2700
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Florida's Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-500-1119
E-Mail The Lakeland Police Department
Report A Crime Or Suspicious Activity
Anonymous Tips Welcome
Always Dial 9-1-1 For Emergencies
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