Sheriff High Says Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team Report an Important Tool in County’s Response to Domestic Violence

Upper Marlboro, MD… Prince George’s County Sheriff Melvin C. High said the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team (DVFRT) Report and Recommendations released to the public yesterday is an “important tool in the County’s response to domestic violence.” High said that bringing the knowledge and experience of all the organizations that provide assistance to victims of domestic violence, into a collaborative process to improve and enhance the County’s response to these incidents is, “problem-solving at its best.”

The 2012 Report is the first issued since the DVFRT was established in legislation and first convened in Prince George’s County in 2007. The chair of the Team, and Managing Attorney for House of Ruth Maryland, Judith Wolfer, said she was pleased by the release of the first report, and to share the Team’s work with state and county officials, and with the public.

“I want to congratulate and thank Chair Judith Wolfer and all of the members of the Team for their work and the completion of this first, benchmark Report, “said Sheriff High. “Their work provides valuable guidance to those of us who work together every day to improve our response to domestic violence.” While the Report makes recommendations for law enforcement, court commissioners, parole and probation, the judiciary, domestic violence agencies and faith-based organizations, High said he was pleased by the DVFRT’s top recognition for law enforcement which called for wider use of the Domestic Violence Intervention - Supplemental Report – a critical on-scene investigative tool in domestic violence incidents - pioneered by the Office of the Sheriff. According to Sheriff High, following that one recommendation will help improve response countywide, increase access to services and assistance for victims, and contribute to case follow-up and prosecutions. “That is a goal I believe all of our partners share,” said High.    

A complete copy of the DVFRT Report and Recommendations is available at www.hruth.org/files/library/FRTReportandRecommendations2012.pdf.

For additional information, contact the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Press Information Office at 301-780-2773.

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