THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 30, 1994 TAG: 9406300017
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Short
DATELINE: 940630 LENGTH:
Several area police departments were interviewed, and their input was used to help bring to light some of the problems in handling domestic situations.
{REST} In the case of a Suffolk officer, comments related by the reporter were taken out of context. Statements in the story were only partially correct. Most of the comments were not printed.
This is less than accurate reporting. It leaves the readers with a false impression of what was really said.
Domestic violence is a very serious matter not only for the victims involved but also for police officers. Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of injury and death to police officers in this country.
For this if for no other reason, officers are well-aware of the violence and fury that can erupt from domestic-violence situations. All agencies should work together to help reach a goal to provide immediate assistance to victims of these crimes, especially in cases of spousal and child abuse where victims may be traumatized for years - or even life - as a result of mistreatment by brutal perpetrators.
Those with concerns that may have been caused by partial reporting may call me between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at (804) 925-6357.
M. E. SIMPKINS
Public information officer
Suffolk Police Department
Suffolk, June 29, 1994
by CNB