Trooper Brock Artfitch of the Michigan State Police (MSP) was recognized by the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) for his work in promoting domestic violence victim safety and offender accountability.  Pictured at the presentation are (from left) Terri Thomasma, Crime Victim Advocate with the Otsego County Prosecutor’s Office; Manda Breuker, Otsego County Chief Assistant Prosecutor; Amy Strohpaul, WRCNM Counselor/Advocate; Lieutenant Derrick Carroll, MSP; Artfitch; and Michael Rola, Otsego County Prosecutor.

Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) recognized Trooper Brock Artfitch of the Michigan State Police (MSP) for his work in promoting domestic violence victim safety and offender accountability. Artfitch is one of five law enforcement representatives to receive the Excellence in Service award in the WRCNM’s five-county service area. The awards are presented in conjunction with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Artfitch said law enforcement officers must work in a compassionate manner when dealing with survivors of domestic abuse. He explained that intimate partner violence can be difficult to report because oftentimes the survivor has an emotional connection to the abuser, even though they know the abuse needs to stop.

“Part of our job as police officers is to help victims understand that they are really doing the right thing by reporting the abusive situation and following through with the rest of the legal process,” said Artfitch. He went on to say that even though a survivor decides to speak out about the abuse, they may still care about the person who is exhibiting the controlling and abusive behaviors.

Artfitch said cases involving children require special care. “One of the most difficult aspects of responding to domestic violence incidents is seeing children in a home subjected to these situations. When we have the opportunity, something as simple as a smile and reassuring comment from a responding police officer can go a long way with kids on- scene. It’s important that both parents understand how deeply their interactions in the home affect their children.”

Otsego County Chief Assistant Prosecutor, Manda Breuker said she supports Artfitch’s recognition. “He has demonstrated hard work, attention to detail and empathy to victims of domestic violence that has helped the prosecutor’s office secure convictions. Trooper Artfitch’s investigations are always very thorough, which help the prosecutor’s office utilize evidence based prosecutions.”

WRCNM counselor/advocates select recipients of the Excellence in Service award because they often work cooperatively with law enforcement on domestic abuse situations in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties. Honorees in other counties are: Deputy Skyler Skrobecki, Antrim County Sheriff’s Office; Deputy Nathan Kaminski, Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Office; Sergeant Brandon Blumke, Tuscarora Township Police Department; and Officer Scott Gosciak, City of Petoskey Department of Public Safety.