HI HR17

Requests the Honolulu Police Department establish a dedicated family violence unit staffed with officers specifically trained to handle all family violence complaints.

Unit officers should respond to initial domestic violence calls, assist victims, and enforce the State's domestic violence laws effectively.

Family violence unit officers should be separate from the Criminal Investigation Division's child abuse and domestic violence detail.

Requests unit staffing prioritize female police officers who have completed gender-sensitive training to better assist domestic violence victims.

Urges the Honolulu Police Department to pursue federal S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women formula grant program funding to support the new unit.