Domestic Violence Bill Could Change Numbers for the State
Numerous domestic complaints are handled every week by police across Tennessee. But not all of the complaints amount to a crime. Without a crime, these complaints aren’t included in statewide crime statistics. Proposed legislation could tighten the reins on domestic violence reports and give the people of Tennessee a more accurate picture on the prevalence of domestic violence.
According to The Tennessean, Memphis Metro Police have documented more than 18,000 non-crime domestic violence reports in the past three years. These reports aren’t counted in crime statistics and are rarely brought to the attention of the public.
Sponsors of a new bill state they would like to see better records on domestic violence incidences and have drafted the legislation to require a detailed report for every domestic encounter within 48 hours. These reports would be tracked in statistics.
The non-crime reports that officers use are called “matter of record” reports and basically dictate that a complaint was made that didn’t amount to a crime. While these have been in use for several years, their prevalence jumped after a man killed his wife following a domestic violence complaint that didn’t result in charges.
It was early 2009 when a young boy called 911 to report his father was trying to kill his mother. Upon arrival at the scene, there was a language barrier and police left without taking significant action and without filing a report. Two days later that husband stabbed his wife to death.
In 2008, before that murder, “matter of record” reports were filed in only 896 of domestic violence reports by the Memphis Metro Police. Following the murder, in 2009, that number climbed to 6,509. In 2010 there were 10,916.
Advocates of the new legislation state it would provide greater accountability for incidences where no arrest action can be taken but where a notation should be made that there was police encounter. Also, the ability to better track these incidences would help the state “develop public policy” because they would have a more accurate picture of the prevalence of domestic violence.
Domestic violence charges are very serious. If you are arrested for assault on a loved one, you won’t only be facing prison time, you could ultimately be facing the loss of friends and family relationships. When facing charges like this, you need someone in your corner. Contact our attorneys today for a consultation on your case.
