SPD: Repeat domestic violence offenses are down

The Sheridan Police Department provides specific training to officers to investigate and deescalate domestic violence and intimate partner violence disturbances. 

While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Captain of the SPD Tom Ringley and Lieutenant James Hill spoke on intimate partner violence and the procedures used by the force to handle such matters. 

Lt. James Hill

According to Ringley, these calls are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Over the past five years, the SPD has responded to an average of 103 intimate partner domestic calls each year with 100 incident calls in 2022. Of those calls in the past five years, the SPD averaged 52 domestic violence arrests. These arrests were for offenses such as battery, aggravated assault, and strangulation. 

The focus on preventing this form of violence is working, according to Ringely. In 2017, the SPD averaged .45 calls for service returning to the same residence following an arrest. In 2022, that number was down to .05 calls following an arrest. 

“The message is being received and thankfully most incidents are not repeated,” Ringley wrote in an email to Sheridan Media. “We want to break the cycle.” 

If you are in need of help, call the Advocacy and Resource Center at 307-672-3222 or in the case of an emergency, dial 911. To learn more, click here.