DVCC LAW ENFORCEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
MINUTES FOR
May 3, 2006
The Law Enforcement Subcommittee met on May 3, 2006, at 9:12 a.m. at the PublicSafetyBuilding in Dover. In attendance were Subcommittee Chairperson Chief Jeffrey Horvath, Liz Olsen, Diane Glenn, Melanie Ewing-Lahutski, Peggy Bell, Ray Quillen and DVCC staff Cindy Boehmer.
Chief Horvath chaired the meeting.
After introductions, the minutes from the February 6, 2006 meeting were approved and seconded as presented.
Domestic Violence Report
Peggy Bell reported that the “short version” of the DV Report in non-criminal cases should be coded and ready for use at the end of May. Law Enforcement Officers will be brought in to test this new report. Law Enforcement Officers will not be able to access this report if they are responding to a serious offense.
Writ of Injunction/Sequestration
Ray Quillen will e-mail staff the April count on the PFA Writs to be included in the minutes. Staff received the information and for April 2006: In SussexCounty, no requests; Kent, 1 request (denied); in NCC, 7 requests were made (6 granted and 1 denied.) Of the 6 PFA Writ’s granted, 10 weapons were seized.
From November 15, 2005 – April 28, 2006, 17 Writ’s were granted. Seventy-one (71) weapons were seized.
Staff will ask the Court Subcommittee to request that a Writ of Injunction/Sequestration policy be developed and included in the Family Court Rules.
Legislative Issues
The issue to enact legislation to reinstate the “Peace Bond” has been put on hold due to the Court of Common Plea’s concern for the need to secure additional funding in order to implement.
Liz Olsen reported on the concealed weapons legislation (HB 359). There are now 14 amendments to this legislation and legislators have been very thoughtful in their consideration of the some of the amendments. There are still some issues that need to be worked out such as, carrying concealed weapons in government buildings.
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Law Enforcement Training
The two day annual training, Domestic Violence in the Millennium, for Law Enforcement, is scheduled on November 15th and 16th, 2006 at the SheratonConferenceCenter. This training will focus on how perpetrators use technology to stalk victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through the use of cell phones, computers, cameras and other media devices. In addition, Law Enforcement officers will be taught how to collect DNA and how to take a “good picture” using digital cameras.
Digital Cameras
Liz Olsen met with Major Joseph Papili to offer help in developing policies and procedures in the use of digital cameras. She reported that Digital Cop has been working very well. It is very secure. It is also anticipated that the Law Enforcement Training in November will address technical issues as it relates to the use of digital cameras..
Family JusticeCenter
No information to report.
PFA Weapons Relinquishment
Staff will ask the Court Subcommittee to include on their agenda the issue of how law enforcement should handle the seizure of weapons as it relates to ownership, storage, returning weapons and the disposal of weapons.
Other
A request has been made for the LE subcommittee to draft a safety plan for victims of stalking. Diane Glenn has seen stalking safety plans that other communities have developed and will send staff information on how to access that information for the Law Enforcement Subcommittee to review.
The meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
Next meeting date:
July 28, 2006
9:00 a.m.
Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Dover