Capt. Hayes Minor of the Rogers Police Department joined the NWA Women’s Shelter Board of Directors in 2012. He and Executive Director Melanie Palmer realized quickly that victims of domestic violence were being pinballed between law enforcement and the shelter because each side knew information the other side did not, but rarely did either side know the victim’s whole story. They decided that this problem could be alleviated by creating a position that links the law enforcement side of victim advocacy with the shelter side. The idea of an officer who works with only with domestic violence cases was born. Capt. Minor took this idea and ran with it. By April 2014, he created the position of Domestic Violence Coordinator, and Officer John Harmon was promoted into this position.
Officer Harmon’s only concern is victims of domestic violence. Anytime an officer responds to a domestic violence related call, Officer Harmon is assigned to that case. Whether or not the responding officer made an arrest, took a report, or just had the parties separate for the night, Officer Harmon is notified of every single incident. His main duty is to follow up with all of these victims. A follow up consists of asking the victim how they are doing, letting them know what happened with their abuser as far as the legal system in concerned, informing the victim of the next steps that will be taken against the abuser, and offering to obtain copies of legal documents (arrest records, No Contact Orders, etc.) for the victim. In many cases, he conducts interviews with victims and abusers, obtains arrest warrants, and makes arrests. He also works closely with Prosecutor’s Office to press charges against abusers.
Officer Harmon attends Order of Protection hearings for any Rogers domestic violence victim who files for an Order. He even testifies on their behalf when needed. He is responsible for attending trainings that pertain to police work as well as domestic violence and sexual assault, and then provides that information to other officers within the Rogers Police Department so that all officers understand the dynamics of domestic violence better and how that should affect their police work.
Every Tuesday from 1pm- 4pm, Miranda Black, the Court Advocate at NWAWS, sits with Officer Harmon at the Rogers Police Department. They discuss the dynamics of domestic violence, how officers respond to domestic violence situations, and discuss clients who have signed a Release of Information with NWAWS to speak to Officer Harmon on their behalf. Victims of domestic violence are able to come to the police department during this time to meet with the Court Advocate to ask about resources, get emotional support, and learn about the shelter. Officer Harmon and the Court Advocate keep open lines of communication to ensure every victim who needs help is receiving the best assistance possible.
This partnership means that victims of domestic violence in our community are receiving better services from our shelter and law enforcement. Thank you to Rogers Police Department for your proactive response to the problem of domestic violence in our Northwest Arkansas community!