An RFP from the Montana Board of Crime Control was posted in late December, 2011. The Police Department would like to pursue this subgrant for Domestic Violence training and continuation of the “Domestic Violence Investigator” program for the 11th year. The proposed amount for this grant totals $83,411.00. The application is due by February 17, 2012. Staff is asking Council’s approval to submit the application and finalize the grant.

The City Council may:

• Approve application submittal and finalization of STOP Violence Against Women Act; or
• Do not approve application submittal and finalization of STOP Violence Against Women Act, which would reduce the enhancement of the Domestic Violence Investigator Program due to lack of funds for manpower.

This grant requires a 25% match of hard and/or soft funds. The City of Billings will contribute approximately $64,436.00, which includes a hard match of $828.00 and a soft match of $63,608.00. The hard match will be included in the FY 13 Training budget and consists of the BPD paying $528.00 for travel per diem and $300 for refreshments for training. The soft match includes One (1) full time Domestic Violence officer, case management and supervisor of the grant; telephone cost, office space for the DV Investigator at the Crime Prevention Center; and use of the Police training facility at PD1 for Blue Print to Safety two (2) day training.

Through the cooperative efforts of the Police Department and the City Attorney’s office, a significant need for more intensive investigation was identified in domestic violence cases.  In 2005, the scope of the grant changed from focusing solely on training, to include funds to pay for follow-up investigation of domestic violence cases being prosecuted through the City Attorney’s Office.  That change allowed the city prosecutors to have Billings Police Department Officers available specifically for domestic violence follow-up investigation and case management that was previously unavailable due to manpower restrictions.

Grant money is requested to pay officers to work domestic violence assistant investigations, warrant round-ups and serving Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO). Funds may also be used to pay for over time for the Domestic Violence Officer for educational training and community assistance.

For the past ten years the Billings Police Department’s Training Division has received a Domestic Violence grant through the Board of Crime Control. For the past six years this grant has included funds to pay Domestic Violence Investigators. The grant was used to supplement investigations involving partner/family member assault, sexual assault, stalking, serving warrants and orders of protection on these incidents. Officers were brought in on overtime to provide these additional services and paid with the grant funding. The grant was also used to provide additional training to officers on domestic violence issues.   This is the first year the BPD will offer a full time equivalent (FTE) Domestic Violence Officer to work this program. This officer's salary is included in the soft match provided by the City of Billings.  

The work load in domestic violence cases has increased every year. That requires stability and that more work hours be committed to the program. In 2012 there were adjustments to the organizational structure of the Billings Police Department. The Domestic Violence Investigator was added as a new full time position. The position did not add to the department's authorized numbers but was a restructuring of officers. Two traffic positions were eliminated from a total of four and they were replaced by a Domestic Violence Investigator position and a Prescription Drug Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Domestic Violence Investigator position is fully funded by the Billings Police budget through the reallocation of personnel.  The grant application still involves training officers in domestic violence issues. The grant application also includes money to pay additional officers to serve warrants, orders of protection and review jail phone calls to assist the Domestic Violence Investigator position.