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Sections & Units
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Major Crimes Section
Domestic Conflict Unit
Domestic violence is a crime that often goes unreported. Still, in 2001, the Calgary Police Service received 11,300 reports of domestic violence.
The Domestic Conflict Unit was created in 1998 through the recommendation of a Mayor's Task Force on Family Values. Its goal is to reduce incidents of domestic conflict by providing an effective and sensitive response to the needs of the victims.
The unit's 12 employees review every incident reported to police involving domestic violence. They look for chronic cases or ones where the victim is considered to be at a high risk of serious injury or death.
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is the use of force or threat to achieve and maintain control over others in intimate relationships.
Who are its victims?
Victims of domestic violence are usually women. However, men can also fall victim to these crimes. Most of the offenders and victims are between 25 and 44 years of age.
What is the cycle of domestic violence?
Physical abuse usually follows a definite cycle. Understanding this cycle of violence is important in learning to help those in abusive relationships.
Cycle of Violence:
- Phase One - Tension Build-up
- Phase Two - Violent Episode
- Phase Three - Honeymoon
- Phase Four - Pretend Normal
The cycle of violence helps answer many questions, such as why a person stays when being abused.
What does the Domestic Conflict Unit do?
Upon completion of a thorough risk assessment to determine if the investigation fits within the scope of the Domestic Conflict Unit's mandate, the file is assigned to one of the two-person teams. This team is then responsible for following up the incident, interviewing the complainant and assessing the person's level of risk.
The investigators help the complainant navigate the legal system - often laying additional charges - and connect the victim with support services within the community. If the person is at risk, the officers may move the victim to a shelter or provide safety planning and other options.
The Domestic Conflict Unit also:
- Responds to cases referred by external and internal agencies.
- Maintains formal contact with victims and offenders.
- Provides assistance to Crown prosecutors.
- Tracks cases through court.
- Assists in the production and presentation of training materials.
- Investigates high-risk situations and repeat calls involving the same complainant and/or same offender.
The Domestic Conflict Unit works with many areas of the criminal justice system to stop the cycle of violence. The Calgary Police Service effectively works in conjunction with:
- Crown prosecutor's office
- Domestic court system
- Domestic court caseworkers
- Probation
- HomeFront
This non-profit organization brings together social service agencies, law enforcement and the criminal justice system to provide an immediate, seamless response to those involved in domestic violence.
Stalking/Criminal Harassment
The Domestic Conflict Unit also investigates all high-risk, habitual stalking offences, especially where there was a previous interpersonal relationship.
What is the definition of stalking?
Stalking is legally called criminal harassment, which, according to Canadian courts, is a crime of power and control. It is an individual's persistent unwanted pursuit or obsessive harassment of another person, causing him or her fear of injury.
Prior to 1993, Canada did not have a criminal harassment act to prosecute offenders. Section 264 (1) of the Criminal Code was designed to protect a person's physical and psychological well-being.
What constitutes stalking behaviour?
Approximately 75 per cent of all abusive relationships that split up result in some form of harassing behaviour.
A stalker's behaviour occurs in a variety of ways. These include:
- Telephone calls
- Surveillance of home
- Following
- Driving by home
- Appearing at workplace
- Sending letters
- E-mailing
- Other types of contact
- Spreading gossip
What can you do?
If you or someone you know is being abused or harassed, call the Calgary Police Service at 266-1234.
Remember to keep a log of all incidents, as they must occur more than once to qualify as criminal harassment.
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