It was reported recently that two Texas law enforcement officers were murdered as they responded to a domestic situation. In fact, the highest number of officers killed in the line of duty at the hands of another were responding to calls reporting a domestic dispute. In this era of defunding or even eliminating police forces, I ask: Who will you suggest sending to calls where a woman is being physically abused or threatened by her partner?
Having worked in the domestic violence field for 17 years, I am as disappointed by the silence of domestic-violence prevention advocates in response to the defund police movement. They, more than most, recognize the inherent danger of someone attempting to leave a domestic-abuse situation. Having spent years cultivating a working relationship between law enforcement and anti-domestic violence agencies, I and other officers are feeling somewhat abandoned.
Defunding police is a knee-jerk reaction that is not well thought out. It’s about time others with skin in the game speak out and support law enforcement.
Steven Edmondson
Topsham
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