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NO GST NDINO DOWNPAYM "IL s tihe changing natur of paildng!' EnU AMR [L . 200 &- 200 CAAASGADCRVN s000 & s 200 -HYE MOEL Cops step up fight against domestic violence By HOWARD MOZEL Special ta The Champion Halton Regional Police, who say domestic violence is already a "very high priority," have vowed to allocate even more resources to combat the problem. "Everything is better and more enhanced," said Det. Jenniler Knight, whose position as domestic violence co- ordinator was approved just more than a year ago. "We're doing a better job." That said, Halton Regional Police Services Board Chair Jack Brewer main- tained that anything more that can be done wiIl be donc. "It's a serious problem and one that can- not be overlooked," he said. Det. Knight's new job and 213 recom- mendations stemming from the MayIIlcs Inquest - 60 of them directly relatcd to law enforcement - have led to a host of improvements in how officers deal with, keep track of and prosecute domestie vio- lence offenders. The inquest rcsulted from a 1996 case in which a man murdered his pantner in full vicw of her children. Report flot detailed In the past, two officers responded to domestic calîs for their own safety and tilled out a simple, one-page report which Det. Knight admitted wasn't detailed enough. Since September, new policies have been implemented in Halton that mirror upcoming provincial adequacy standards and emphasize that police are treating domestie violence as a serious criminal offence. A pair of oticers still attend caîls, but they're accompsnied on most occasions by a supervisor. A more detailed tbree-page report is also completed. The new Supplementary Domestie Incidence Report collects a variety of evi- dence such as the emotional and physical condition of victims as well as suspects. The Risk Indicators Form helps officers determine whether s suspect should be releascd on bail or held in jail. In addition to the victim, ail parties involved (neigbbours, children etc.) are interviewed while facts about previous assaults are ascertained. Evidence for court - such as photos of injuries and property damage - se thor- 1 s ee BOTH on page 13 Vp le% f : M