Henry PD awarded grant to end violence against women | Crime

Henry County- Violence against women is on the agenda of the Henry County Police Department.  The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved acceptance of a 25 percent matching grant in the amount of $246,833 from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to be used by the Henry County Police Department for its Stop Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) program. The action came at the regular board meeting earlier this month.

“In today’s society, the unfortunate fact is that violence against women has been on the rise, but in an effort to combat the violence, the Henry County Police Department, along with county prosecutors, judges and victim advocates have combined their efforts,” said Kimberly Monast, Research and Development Specialist with the Henry County Police Department. “We are working to enhance the safety of women victims of violent crime, to increase officer education and accountability, and to offer appropriate training which addresses the special needs of the under-served, non-English speaking population. This grant assists us in those efforts.”

The grant supplies funds to pay for two full-time detectives and a full-time liaison to collect and communicate information between prosecutors, law enforcement, social service providers and victims. It also covers 50 percent of a detective sergeant’s salary and 40 percent of a fourth detective’s salary, as well as domestic violence training for officers, judges and prosecutors, to better respond to violent crimes against women.

This is the third year that the Henry County Police Department has been awarded the grant, made up of a contribution from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in the amount of $185,125 and a County match of $61, 708 in salaries, which is already available in the department’s budget. The Police Department also has the option to renew the grant for a fourth and final year as long as the department is compliant and funds are available.

For more information about the Henry County Police Department, please visit www.henrycountypolicedepartment.org