The Warren, Mich., Police Department is taking a step toward breaking the cycle of domestic violence with the Operation Cycle Break initiative. The multifaceted approach puts an emphasis on protection for victims and swift justice for offenders as well as keeping offenders accountable and making resources readily accessible.

In the face of more than 9,100 domestic disturbance calls in the past two years, as well as major incidents, including homicides, with a domestic violence connection, officers realized there was a clear need for such a program in their community.

After a new police commissioner came into office, the department began working to discover what was driving violent crime in Warren: It turned out that at least 70% of aggravated assaults stemmed from domestic violence incidents.

Partnering with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, city attorney’s office, 37th District Court, Turning Point Macomb and Wayne State University, the Warren Police Department developed a new, less reactive response initiative for domestic violence. Operation Cycle Break provides victims with support and resources immediately, including education on victims’ rights and safety planning.

Dedicated weekly court days were set up to ensure domestic violence cases are dealt with rapidly and to ensure that offenders are quickly held accountable. High-risk offenders receive unannounced follow-ups with proactive monitoring to limit their chances of re-offending. Additionally, services, intervention programs and support systems for both victims and offenders were expanded.

The initiative is a shift from reactive to proactive. The reactive approach left serious gaps in support and accountability. There was limited contact, with follow-ups done exclusively by phone. Often, no follow-up was done because a person could not be reached. This meant both victims and offenders typically did not receive the support necessary after a domestic violence incident. Justice was also typically slow, with victims receiving a court date letter in the mail up to 90 days after an incident.

Previously, essential lethality assessments were not being performed and unannounced visits were not conducted to check in on offenders and the welfare of victims. Counseling for offenders was not offered once bond was set. Such gaps often led to the cycle of violence repeating itself.

In the past, officers would typically ask the victim at a scene if he or she wanted to press charges against the assailant. Many were still reeling from the traumatic event and would not think through that question, though: They simply wanted to get out of the immediate situation.

Officers no longer ask that question at the scene of the incident. Instead, the facts are presented to a prosecutor to decide if charges should be filed. With this change, the department has already seen an increase from 20% to 90% of warrants being issued for offenders, which allows officers to issue a no-contact order, a no-alcohol order or put the person in jail if necessary.

With Operation Cycle Break, there is immediate follow-up with victims by phone and in-person. If primary phone contact cannot be established, the in-person follow-up is critical. Within 10 days of the initial incident, officers make certain that victims are safe and offenders are following the required no-contact order, if there is one. They are also required to complete the multi-question lethality assessment to identify a high-risk situation or high-risk offender and ensure those in high-risk situations receive the necessary support. The questions include previous threats of violence, violence to pets or children or whether the offender commits other crimes, such as drug offenses. If an offender’s score is 10 or higher, officers take a hard look at that person. It also ensures that the judge receives all the pertinent information moving forward.

After being arrested, offenders receive a letter stating they will be actively monitored after they are released from custody. The monitoring includes unannounced visits, and they are given a pamphlet with local places where they may seek assistance. In some cases, the offender must receive mandatory court-ordered intervention counseling as a condition of bond. The hope is that, even if the case ends up getting dismissed, the offender will have still gone through months of court-ordered counseling and, as a result, will not re-offend.

“The goal is to lower domestic violence, not arrest more people,” Sergeant James Twardesky stated.

Previously, one of the biggest challenges was victims not showing up for court appearances. With Operation Cycle Break, officers go to check on a victim between three and 10 days after the incident — which allows the victim’s system to return to normal following a traumatic incident — they are seeing how the victim would like to move forward and letting them know their options, including jail, probation and counseling for the offender.

“I think it’s a game-changer for them to have a say in what happens in court instead of just throwing people in jail,” Twardesky said. “It offers the victim some control of the situation.”

The program has resulted in an increase in victims showing up for court and an increase in the number of guilty pleas and court-ordered counseling. Those with a low risk of re-offending can even work to get the charge eventually removed from their record.

Court dates for domestic disturbances are every Wednesday. Law enforcement, victim advocates and the courts collaborate in the legal process, which expedites it. If offenders do not appear for court, the officers take action to locate them.

Wayne State University is working to collect and review data to keep improving the new approach to domestic violence situations. Within the first 30 days of the program, there was a 33% increase in authorization of warrants for domestic incidents, compared to last year. The mandatory counseling for offenders component has been implemented, and there is quick apprehension of offenders who do not appear for scheduled court appearances as well as increased engagement with victims. The university also set up a spreadsheet to help calculate an offender’s lethality score.

The program began May 1, so it is too early for extensive data to be available that would document Operation Cycle Break’s effect. However, the department is helping Wayne State collect that data as it comes in so the success of the program can be determined – in the hope that it will continue.

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