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Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response

Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is soliciting applications from law enforcement agencies that are interested in receiving training and technical assistance (TTA) to improve their response to sexual assault and domestic violence.

 

The U.S. Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has awarded PERF a cooperative agreement to assist as many as five law enforcement agencies and their partner advocacy organizations to implement the principles set forth in the Justice Department's guidance on Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. This guidance, released in 2015, is designed to advance bias-free policing and help agencies to more fairly and effectively respond to crimes and allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence.


As part of the technical assistance, PERF will work with partner agencies to assess their current policies and practices, and will provide recommendations and training to make improvements, consistent with the DOJ guidance. PERF will implement the TTA with the support of a steering committee comprised of subject matter experts and practitioners, and will document the promising practices and lessons learned by each agency.


This is an opportunity for police, sheriffs', and tribal law enforcement agencies to demonstrate leadership in the areas of sexual assault and domestic violence investigations, and to serve as a model for other agencies. Results of the initiative will be documented in a guidebook to share with agencies nationwide to help them improve their response to sexual assault and domestic violence.


PERF is seeking local law enforcement agencies that have a commitment to improving sexual assault and domestic violence investigations, and that are willing to serve as a national model for other agencies.


How to Apply

Interested agency leaders should email PERF on behalf of their agencies at OVWsites2017@policeforum.org with the following information:

  • Agency name and location;
  • Number of sworn and civilian personnel in the department; and
  • Population size and demographics of the jurisdiction. 

In addition, please answer the following questions:

  • Is your department currently collecting data specific to:
    • Sexual assault?
      • If so, please briefly describe what data is collected
    • Domestic violence?
      • If so, please briefly describe what data is collected
  • Are you collecting any data beyond UCR/SRS or NIBRS reporting requirements with regard to these crimes?
    • If so, please briefly describe what additional data you are collecting with regard to:
      • Sexual assault:
      • Domestic violence:
  • How are these data being used or analyzed by the department?
  • Why is your department interested in this technical assistance?

Upon receipt of the above information, PERF will follow up with applicants to obtain additional information for consideration.
Agency selection will be made on a rolling basis, and all applications will be in consideration throughout the entire process, regardless of application date. This is a three-year initiative, and we anticipate a 10-month project implementation period for each site. Training and technical assistance for the first site will begin in Summer 2017.


Please email OVWsites2017@policeforum.org with any questions about the application.


Thank you,
Chuck Wexler
Executive Director

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