MANSFIELD — Mansfield police Capt. Shari Robertson, who has seen the impact of domestic violence, has received the Domestic Violence Shelter’s Advocacy Service Award.
“I feel honored,” Robertson said Friday. “There are so many others in the community who I feel are more deserving, who work everyday in the trenches.”
Robertson, who joined the MPD in 1994, is one of the highest-ranking women in the police division’s history. She currently serves as the captain of special operations.
“A lot of people in our community do a lot to support the fight against domestic violence, so we wanted to show our appreciation,” Domestic Shelter Executive Director Kathy Ezawa said of the award. “It’s a privilege to work with all the community advocates to address domestic violence in our community.”
Domestic violence and sexual assault cases affect the captain personally, Robertson said.
“As an officer, these are personal to me because they can be hard to prove,” she said. “Many victims are reluctant to step forward because they worry how it will impact their family.”
In 2008, Det. Sgt. Matt Loughman told Robertson about a program he encountered at a police training event. Realizing its potential impact, the two worked with Ezawa to create the Lethality Assessment program.
The program, a nationally recognized initiative, brings together law enforcement and the jurisdiction’s domestic violence program to provide immediate intervention in severe domestic violence related calls.
Officers who respond to the scene of a domestic violence call assess the situation for lethality indicators. Once the indicators reach a certain threshold, the officer at the scene will place a call to the DV Shelter hotline and immediately connect the victim to a crisis line advocate.
Robertson said the program helps officers reach out to victims and helps them become emotionally ready to change their circumstances.
Ezawa said, “This tool is literally a life saver.”
National statistics indicate a victim of domestic violence is 60 percent more likely to engage the domestic violence program services once contact is made, compared to a victim who has not undergone a lethality assessment.
“Too many women in our community are being brutally beaten, strangled and murdered at the hands of their abuser and it’s time it stopped,” Ezawa said. “This program is the first step in saving a life. And for that, we’re proud to have presented this year’s award to Capt. Shari Robertson.”
Robertson also thanked former police chief Phil Messer, who in 2008, allowed her to apply for a grant allowing the dedication of a domestic violence and sexual assault officer at the department.
She and the MPD have a program called Safe Zone to teach police how to better handle same-sex domestic violence victims and provide additional resources to address the problem. The position still exists and is funded by a grant.
The Advocacy Service Award is given annually during Domestic Violence Awareness Month to community members who have made a significant impact in the fight against domestic violence.
Past recipients include Mansfield police Office J. Mark Perry, John Matthes from Johnny’s Mattress and Furniture Superstore, and Rebecca English from the 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard.
