The post I've been wanting to post, but was too chicken to...

Just a few things for us all to think about that I happened across and found incredibly interesting. Just some of those things that make you go "hmmmm."

• Domestic violence is 2 to 4 times more common in police families than in the general population. In two separate studies, 40% of police officers self-report that they have used violence against their domestic partners within the last year. In the general population, it's estimated that domestice violence occurs in about 10% of families.
• The definition of domestic violence is "a pattern of behaviors used to gain or maintain control of an intimate partner or family member."
• Abusive police officers use professional tactics of power and control in their intimate relationships. Not all abuse is physical violence. Lying, isolation, interrogation, surveillance and weapons are also used.
• There are special problems in these situations: police officers always have a gun; they know how to inflict pain and leave no marks or bruises; they are trained to intimidate by presense and use body as a weapon; it's hard to call the police when he is the police; he threatens that if he's reported to the police he will lose his job and there will be consequences to that; he has access to surveillance tools to monitor the victim's activities; he knows the location of battered women's shelters; and he knows the court system, often testifies in court, and knows district attorneys, judges and bailiffs personally.

Interesting, right? Just some tidbits I found. Here's a couple websites if you are interested in reading more...fascinating! And furthermore, maybe gives everyone a little insight as to the true situation...good times!

www.purpleberets.org/violence_police_families.html
www.abuseofpower.info/index.htm