Domestic violence training for officers

POLSON - A two-day visit from international domestic violence trainer and speaker Lt. Mark Wynn was capped off last Wednesday afternoon with a Q-and-A session with community members at the KwaTaqNuk in Polson.

Wynn, originally from Nashville, Tenn., was in town for an all-day training session with area law enforcement officials last Tuesday, an invitation only executive session, and the public Q-and-A session last Wednesday afternoon. His 20 years of experience as an active law enforcement officer and background as a survivor of domestic violence made him an appealing choice to local victims' advocacy groups, which collaborated to bring him to an area that has one of the highest per capita rates of domestic violence in the country.

"The biggest target of domestic violent death is Native American women," Wynn said of the fact that makes the issue extremely important to the Flathead Reservation.

Approximately 15 community members, victims' advocates, survivors, civil lawyers and law enforcement officers were on hand to ask questions and learn more about how to combat the high numbers of domestic violence incidents on the reservation. The Lake County Dispatch Center reported 454 calls of partner family member abuse in 2009, a figure that nearly doubled the 254 reported calls in 2008.

Wynn has traveled around the nation and overseas to attend conferences and give lectures and trainings on just that issue. One thing about Montana that makes the numbers so troubling, he said, are the availability and high interest in weapons and Second Amendment rights. While he agrees with the right to bear arms, he said that weapons in the wrong hands could have dire consequences.

"Domestic violence offenders are a different group; they're criminals," he said, noting that the majority of gun owners are responsible. "Weapons possession is considered an important right, but not as important as the right to life," he said.

Wynn touched on a variety of issues that attendees brought up with their questions. He described his survival in an abusive household, where his stepfather abused his siblings and mother. His personal experience, he said, gave him greater insight into what it's like to survive such an ordeal, and the thought processes of someone living in such a situation. Wynn said that "leaving a relationship is a process," and not as simple as getting up and leaving. Rather, the victims are generally attached to their partner, who may also use psychological abuse to manipulate their victim, something law enforcement needs to consider in such situations.

"This offender, they don't like to be told no, they don't like to be told they don't own their family," Wynn said. "Domestic violence offenders want you to take responsibility for their actions."

DOVES executive director Jenifer Blumberg said 65 law enforcement officials attended the April 6 training, including sheriff's deputies from Lake and Sanders counties, probation and parole officers, Polson PD, Ronan PD, St. Ignatius PD, Tribal Law and Order officers and Montana Highway Patrol troopers. The "invitation only" executive session saw approximately 21 officials attend, including members of the Lake County attorney's office, various court systems and law enforcement officials.

POLSON - A two-day visit from international domestic violence trainer and speaker Lt. Mark Wynn was capped off last Wednesday afternoon with a Q-and-A session with community members at the KwaTaqNuk in Polson.

Wynn, originally from Nashville, Tenn., was in town for an all-day training session with area law enforcement officials last Tuesday, an invitation only executive session, and the public Q-and-A session last Wednesday afternoon. His 20 years of experience as an active law enforcement officer and background as a survivor of domestic violence made him an appealing choice to local victims' advocacy groups, which collaborated to bring him to an area that has one of the highest per capita rates of domestic violence in the country.

"The biggest target of domestic violent death is Native American women," Wynn said of the fact that makes the issue extremely important to the Flathead Reservation.

Approximately 15 community members, victims' advocates, survivors, civil lawyers and law enforcement officers were on hand to ask questions and learn more about how to combat the high numbers of domestic violence incidents on the reservation. The Lake County Dispatch Center reported 454 calls of partner family member abuse in 2009, a figure that nearly doubled the 254 reported calls in 2008.

Wynn has traveled around the nation and overseas to attend conferences and give lectures and trainings on just that issue. One thing about Montana that makes the numbers so troubling, he said, are the availability and high interest in weapons and Second Amendment rights. While he agrees with the right to bear arms, he said that weapons in the wrong hands could have dire consequences.

"Domestic violence offenders are a different group; they're criminals," he said, noting that the majority of gun owners are responsible. "Weapons possession is considered an important right, but not as important as the right to life," he said.

Wynn touched on a variety of issues that attendees brought up with their questions. He described his survival in an abusive household, where his stepfather abused his siblings and mother. His personal experience, he said, gave him