Free domestic violence training seminar to focus on abusers who are police officers
August 19
JOLIET – Law enforcement professionals and social service providers are encouraged to attend a free domestic violence training seminar scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park, 201 N. Bluff St., in Joliet.
This year’s seminar deals with domestic violence cases involving abusers who are police officers. The presenter will be attorney and domestic violence specialist Jan Russell.
Russell created a program within the Chicago Police Department to provide services to victims who were abused by members of the police department. The Chicago Police Department was the first in the nation to create a response plan for officer-involved domestic violence cases, and its protocol has received national attention.
Russell will discuss her experience developing and implementing the program and insights gained from nearly 16 years of experience dealing with officer-involved domestic violence.
The topics she will cover include the differences in dynamics when an officer is the abuser; issues and concerns departments should consider in developing their own policies; legal issues such as liability for departments and responding officers; federal firearms provisions as they affect officers; and best practices for improving victim safety.
“Jan Russell is an acclaimed specialist on domestic violence issues who will provide an important perspective on how to deal with the most difficult of these serious cases,” said Tony Ray, who is the coordinator for the Family Violence Coordinating Council under the direction of the 12th Judicial Circuit and Chief Judge Stephen White. “We hope that law enforcement officers and social service providers will take advantage of this free training seminar.”
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, whose office is a cosponsor of the seminar, said: “Jan Russell knows the difficulties police departments face when an officer is accused of domestic abuse. Her training will provide departments with information to help them establish protocols that are critical in protecting vulnerable women. Advocates who fight on behalf of abused women also will receive the benefits of her wisdom and experience.”
Russell also served as a family issues specialist for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and as the founding executive director of a legal advocacy agency dealing with parental child abduction.
She is a sought after trainer on domestic violence and child abduction issues and has trained more than 15,000 domestic violence workers, police officers, lawyers and social service providers over the years.
To register for this free training call: (815) 439-6915 for law enforcement officers and (708) 383-2251 for social service providers.
A continental breakfast will be provided by Tri-River Police Training Association. Lunch is on your own.
The training seminar provides for five free continuing education credits for law enforcement officers and social workers.
The seminar is co-sponsored by: the 12th Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council, the Office of Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, Social Work PRN, the Take Back the Night Committee and Tri-River Police Training Association.