Violence, Like Charity, Begins at Home

• NCJ Number: 88075
• Author(s): R Sullivan
• Date Published: 1968
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From The New York Times Magazine, November 24, 1968

Annotation

This article discusses the psychological orientation, procedural techniques, and basic objectives of an experimental New York City police unit which is learning how to break up scenes of domestic violence without contributing more disruption to the situation.

Abstract

One of every five policemen killed in the line of duty dies trying to break up a family fight. Despite this discouraging statistic, none of the 18 volunteer patrolmen assigned to the Family Crisis Intervention Unit in New York City's 30th Precinct has sustained a single injury in the unit's first 15 months of operation. Moreover, after intervening in more than 1,000 family crises the unit has not been involved in a single charge of police brutality. None of the interventions resulted in a homicide or suicide. The pilot program, developed by a former police officer who is now a professor of psychology, seeks to provide the patrol officer with new skills which are necessary for successful, nonviolent intervention in the family crisis situation. The program features intensive study with psychologists, group evaluation of psychoskits, and field trips to various social agencies. Although every intervention is different, there are some standard procedures. The patrolmen go in together, then split, with one of them going toward one of the antagonists, the second toward the other. Guns are rarely drawn. They do not push, shout, or threaten to arrest everyone. Weapons are collected, and the officers generally try to mollify both sides, taking the combatants into separate rooms. After determining the facts, the officers try to explain to the family why the family is fighting; recommnendations are presented for dispute resolution, and the family is normally referred to a health or social agency. Techniques which have proven successful during the initial months of operation include refusing to take sides in the argument, addressing combatants by their first names, and showing respect for the home of the family. The unit has proven to be a significant force in improving community relations in the precinct area.