Incoming Senator Kay Floyd guides training for new “lethality assessment” protocol
Published: November 17th, 2014
Senator Elect Rep. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, spoke at a training session held this month at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Nigh Center with welcoming remarks for those who will carry the lifesaving educational protocol to police department’s statewide.
House Bill 2526 provides Oklahoma police departments with a check list to use when responding to domestic violence calls. The check list contains questions developed by researchers to be asked of victims of domestic violence. The purpose of the questions is to assess the level of danger at the scene and the type of support service referrals necessary to provide protection for the victim.
The program was designed to prepare those who will instruct law enforcement personnel in the field. The training objectives included six key points for officers:
1. Understand the outcomes of the Lethality Assessment Protocol Study.
2. Gain knowledge related to assessing lethality in domestic violence cases.
3. Learn the Lethality Assessment Protocol and how to implement it.
4. Learn the role of the law enforcement officer.
5. Learn the role of the domestic violence advocate.
6. Have the knowledge necessary to train their agencies
“I represent a district that is in the heart of Oklahoma City,” Floyd said. “In 2012, the Oklahoma City Police Domestic Violence Unit received over 5600 domestic violence cases. I am honored to have authored HB 2526 and grateful to the men and women of Oklahoma police departments throughout the state for implementing this immediate intervention tool.”
The event was facilitated by Lesley Smith March, Chief, Victim Services Unit Assistant Attorney General, Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General.
Floyd, previously a state representative in the MidTown/MidCity area of Oklahoma City, takes the oath as a member of the state Senate on Tuesday, November 18, 2014.