Cambridge Police Department Operation Safe Home, Final Project Report

• NCJ Number: 157408
• Author(s): W Holmes; T Headley
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 13 pages
• Grant Number(s): 94-IJ-CX-K001
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation

Annotation

In response to an increase in the number of domestic violence calls, the Cambridge, Massachusetts, Police Department hired an experienced domestic violence liaison and purchased a personal computer dedicated solely to maintain information on domestic violence and sexual assault cases.

Abstract

Known as Operation Safe Home, the Cambridge project has four main goals: (1) integrate domestic violence case handling with community policing; (2) use a police department liaison to monitor followup action on domestic violence incidents; (3) create a database to track domestic violence perpetrators and incidents; and (4) train police officers in the handling of domestic violence. The Cambridge Police Department has worked with advocates and other law enforcement agencies to develop a Risk Factor Offender Profile and has also created a citywide public awareness campaign to involve the community in domestic violence prevention. Operation Safe Home has improved the handling of domestic violence cases by police officers and prosecutors. Continuing improvements in putting evidence into reports and in case referral will further strengthen the program. The offender profile form is appended. 6 references