Holding a Higher Standard in Officer Involved Intimate Partner Violence Cases

"This incident definitely tears us apart," Lauderhill Police Capt. Constance Stanley said, describing the effect on the force's 120 sworn officers. "There are a lot of mixed feelings because each of the officers has friends in the department." source The Palm Beach Post......

Officials in Broward County indicate this has never happened until now where a fellow officer empties their Glock into the vehicle of another. Why? Because Officer Brittny Skinner continued to reject him. They briefly dated when she joined the force in 2006, but the single mother broke it off.

Officer Kristopher John Bieger's pattern of conduct escalated during the years from excessive calling, texts and stalking. Did the department look away and not handle this as a serious crime because he was the son of a respected, retired cop? Is it possible that Officer Skinner was ignored by the department? Was she politely told "it is not in your best interest to make waves? How about a place outside of the department veil where Officer Skinner could have received assistance?

Is the Lauderhill Police Department unaware because "no official" record exists.? The statement by Police Captain Stanley "there are a lot of mixed emotions on both sides" incorrect response in my expert opinion. Officer Bieger emptied 10 rounds at Officer Skinner. The only reason she survived unharmed, Skinner was wearing her bullet proof vest. Afterwards, Officer Bieger fled the scene, followed by a stand-off for a couple hours outside a pizzeria until he surrendered to fellow officers.

This crime has nothing to do with whether officer Bieger was in his right mind at the time. The officer did not simply have a bad day and snap!

I hold law enforcement to a higher standard. I always have, despite the fact that I am a police officers daughter galvanized by a tragedy I would not wish on anyone. And not only do I respect law enforcement both on a professional and personal level, I expect those commissioned as sworn officers to know right from wrong when it relates to their personal relationships outside of the department. Extending and implementing policies at the State level on down to the rank and file within police departments.

What is the Lauderhill Police Department and others across the nation doing to prevent these types of intimate partner violence officer related crimes from escalating? Do they have training and continuing education in place? Is it effective?

Education and training has proven an effective solution within agencies of officer involved intimate partner and stalking crimes.

Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education as a educator and specialist with intimate partner violence prevention strategies directing prevention for high risk situations and cases.

A national trainer to law enforcement, training officers, prosecutors, judges, legislators, social service providers, healthcare professionals, victim advocates and the faith based community. In partnership with Management Resources Ltd. of New York addressing prevention and solutions within the community to the workplace.

Online contributions: Forbes : Crime, She Writes providing commentary about the hottest topics on crime, justice, and law from a woman’s perspective, as well as Time's Up! a blog which searches for solutions (SOS) for victims of crime.

Radio Shows: Susan is the host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time's Up!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host on Crime Wire.

Books: Time's Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships,Moving out, Moving on, and Defending Out Lives.

www.imaginepublicity.com

Florida Police Cadet Kelly Rothwell: Life Interrupted

[photo by Leigh Clifton]




On Wednesday, April 13th, missing Florida Police Cadet Kelly Roth will not be graduating with her class. The St. Pete Police Academy is scheduled to graduate its spring class of recruits. Kelly Rothwell's name is listed among the students, with the notation: "Not in attendance." There will be a candlelight vigil and prayer circle to honor Kelly Rothwell following the 6 p.m. graduation ceremony.

A month has passed since Kelly confronted David Perry. She didn't take anyone with her when she told the former New York Corrections Officer, it was over, she was ending their relationship. Maybe if she did, the outcome would be different. Violent offenders, in some situations, will back down and do nothing when someone else is watching. Had Kelly Rothwell brought a few friends to the condo that evening, the cowardly Perry would have tucked his tail between his legs and waited for another opportunity to catch her alone.

On March 12, 2011, David Perry, in my opinion, robbed Kelly of her life long dream of becoming a police officer. David Perry is a cowardly killer, controlling her down to the last breathe of life, to where he has her hidden.

David Perry is similar to a magician, his stage, behind closed doors. There are far too many imitators to list but, no different then Perry, they each follow the same pattern. It varies from case to case, but, in the end, the magic act is identical; the women always vanish, and usually without a trace. I am hoping that with the recent involvement of the CUE Center for Missing Persons, she can be brought home her to her family, and magic man, David Perry, is charged and arrested for her murder.

When Martin Luther King spoke or wrote about violence, he did not intend to apply his words of wisdom to victims who have lost their lives to controlling, angry abusers hell bent on their own justice. The abuser who preys and kills their loved ones is summarized below in words written over 45 years ago.

"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. ... Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

If you or a loved one are preparing to leave an abusive relationship or are being stalked, please consider the importance of creating the “Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit" and video located in the book, "Time's Up." It is a sworn statement detailing the facts of an individual’s victimization, preserving the specifics so they are not lost, even if the victim is. It's difficult to think about speaking from the grave, but no different than any life insurance policy or living will obtained in consideration for those left behind in cases of domestic violence and stalking related crimes.






Susan Murphy Milano is with the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education. She is an expert on intimate partner violence and homicide crimes. For more information visit http://www.saferelationshipsmagazine.com/ She is also in partnership with Pamela Chapman and iAscend Programs. http://pamelachapmanl.biz

Susan is the author of "Time's Up A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships," available for purchase at the Institute, Amazon.com and wherever books are sold. Susan is the host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time's Up!" on Here Women Talkhttp://www.herewomentalk.com/ and is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated The Roth Show with Dr Laurie Roth. Susan is a survivor- the daughter of a police officer family intimate partner homicide by her father who murdered her mother before committing suicide.

Intimate Partner Violence Ends with No Answers for the Family of Police Cadet Kelly Rothwell

Kelly Rothwell had planned to move in with friends in the Palm Harbor area. Friend said that Rothwell had described Perry’s behavior as very controlling and possessive, and that he had been reading her emails.

I had hoped that authorities would have made an arrest by now on the intimate partner homicide of Indian Rocks Beach, Florida police cadet, Kelly Rothwell.

This is what is known: 

• Kelly Rothewell went to her condo to end the relationship with her abusive and violent boyfriend former New York correctional officer Dave Perry;
• On March 12th neighbors from the unit below heard thumping and noise from her unit;
• Dave Perry took off in his car sometime later in the evening;
• Dave Perry flee's like a coward to Elmira, New York where he is currently in hiding;
• Dave Perry cooperates in true offender style by providing breadcrumbs of bullshit to law enforcement, via an attorney;
• Law enforcement in Florida or New York were unable to obtain photo's of scratches, marks and possible bites likely received on Perry from Kelly as she fought, fighting for her life;
• The son of Dave Perry's attempted to removed a cardboard box from the condo and police took the box;
• The police in New York obtained a search warrant for Perry's car which I will bet he likely has had the car all ready cleaned.

What went wrong in the case:

• Kelly Rothwell confronted her dangerous abuser;
• An unknown person drove Kelly Rothwell's personal car to a street location where police found the vehicle;
• Kelly Rothwell did not prepare the Evidentiary Abuse document and video as provided in the book Time's Up a tool that must be utilized by first responders and anyone before they announce to anyone the relationship is ending. This would have assured law enforcement an immediate arrest prior to her vanishing;
• Law enforcement have yet to give the family the contact information to the CUE Center for Missing Persons; (www.ncmissingpersons.org)
• The family has yet to register Kelly's case so a coordinated search an be conducted immediately;
• A second warrant was obtained by Pinellas County Sheriff's office for another search at the residence;
• A family member gathered some of Kelly's personal items;
• In this case as it in far too many of missing persons cases, especially involving a history of intimate partner violence time has passed and the window of opportunity to obtain critical evidence evaporates with each passing day.

Going Forward:

• Cue Center for Missing Persons's needs to be contacted by law enforcement;
• The condo should be closed off, no access, until the investigation is finished;
• Law enforcement should consider bagging into evidence personal items of Perry's such as razor, toothbrush and other items they can later be tested for DNA (because we know he will not be cooperating)
• Law enforcement should consider obtaining a warrant for Perry's phone and track if possible his activity and the same goes for his son's phone going back to March 12th. (they may have even switched phones that day)

If anyone has any information about this case they are asked to contact the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Robbery / Homicide Unit at 727-582-6200.

I cannot stress enough, if you are in a relationship that has a history of violence, simply mustering up the courage to confront the person and say it is over, without the proper tools, can cost you, your 

life!

One of the major reasons women stay in abusive relationships is fear. They are afraid of what will happen to them and their children if they leave. Sadly, their fears are often justified; FACT a woman is at the greatest risk for injury when she announces her plans or leaves an abusive relationship

The book "Time's Up A Guide on How To Survive and Abusive and Stalking Relationship" is the prescription, if you will, that every person must obtain before they announce they are leaving. Below is an example from Chapter 4, one of many unique tools provided in the book. It is available onAmazon.com, or you can purchase via e-book or on a cd. If you have questions, the email address is: timesupforjustice@gmail.com

Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit by Susan Murphy Milano from the Book "Time's Up" from Courage Network on Vimeo.

Susan Murphy Milano is with the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education. She is an expert on intimate partner violence and homicide crimes. For more information visit http://www.saferelationshipsmagazine.com/ She is also in partnership with Pamela Chapman and iAscend Programs.http://pamelachapmanl.biz

Susan is the author of "Time's Up A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships," available for purchase at the Institute, Amazon.com and wherever books are sold. Susan is the host of The Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time's Up!" on Here Women Talkhttp://www.herewomentalk.com/ and is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated The Roth Show with Dr Laurie Roth. Susan is a survivor- the daughter of a police officer family intimate partner homicide by her father who murdered her mother before committing suicide.