Local law enforcement representatives sign an updated domestic violence policy at Petoskey City Hall created through the assistance of a federal grant from the Department of Justice.  Pictured signing the document are (front, from left) James R. Lindermann, Emmet County Prosecutor; Chris Krajewski, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Program Director, Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan a collaborating partner on the grant; (back row) Patrick C. Wyman, Chief of Police, Mackinac City Police; Dan Branson, Chief of Police, Harbor Springs Police Department; John Calabrese, Director of Public Safety, City of Petoskey; F/Lt. Blake Davis, Gaylord Post Regional Commander of the Michigan State Police; Sheriff Peter A. Wallin, Emmet County Sheriff’s Office; and Greg Clark, Assistant Director, Charlevoix-Cheboygan-Emmet Central Dispatch Authority/9-1-1.  Not pictured, Jeff Cobe, Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.


Emmet County law enforcement signified their commitment to ensuring quality and consistency in the way domestic abuse calls are handled within, and across, departments by signing an updated policy at the Petoskey City Building on Thursday, November 29.  The policy outlines law enforcement officers’ responsibilities when responding to calls related to domestic abuse.

On hand for the policy signing were representatives from the Emmet County law enforcement community, including the Emmet County Prosecutor’s Office, Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, Harbor Springs Police Department, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, Michigan State Police, Mackinaw City Police Department, the Petoskey Department of Public Safety and Charlevoix-Cheboygan-Emmet 911 Central Dispatch.

The updated policy is the result of a collaborative effort between prosecutor’s offices in Emmet, Cheboygan and Charlevoix counties and the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan; it is part of a two year federal grant from the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.  The Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program (the Arrest Program) recognizes that sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking are crimes that require the criminal justice system to hold offenders accountable for their actions.

Emmet County prosecutor, James R. Lindermann said the cooperation of those working on the State-mandated policy is significant.   “We’ve done a great job working together to ensure we have a quality policy,” said Lindermann.  “It’s all about ensuring the safety of the public.”  Lindermann noted the Arrest Program grant was extended to only one other grantee in Michigan and seventy-seven nationwide; he believes the group is doing all they can to carry out the mandates.

The Arrest Program grant, awarded in October 2011, has already provided for a shared special prosecutor to assist and enhance prosecution of domestic violence and sexual assault cases in Emmet, Charlevoix and Cheboygan counties. The grant also provided assistance to create the updated policy which will implement pro-arrest programs in local police departments including policies for protection order violations.  Additionally, the program provides for law enforcement training on effective methods for identifying the pattern and history of abuse that will help indicate which party is the primary aggressor.

Because these crimes affect many individuals in northern Michigan communities, the Arrest Program encourages local, state and tribal governments and courts to treat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking as serious violations of criminal law requiring coordination with nonprofit, nongovernmental victim advocates and representatives from the criminal justice system. This program challenges the whole community to communicate, identify problems and share ideas that will result in new responses and the application of best practices to enhance victim safety and offender accountability.

“Just like the social changes that happened around drinking and driving back in the 70’s, advocates for ending domestic violence and sexual assault seek similar social change,” said Jan Mancinelli, Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan.  “The most effective way to do that is to prosecute and implement consistent practice throughout our communities that begins to make these crimes unacceptable.”