Fayette Cares recently enhanced partnerships with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department by taking steps to implement the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP). The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department hosted a LAP Train-the-Trainer co-facilitated by Fayette Cares LAP Coordinator Amy Johnson and Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy Instructor Teddy Murphy.
The free Police Officers Standards & Training (POST) certified instruction was part of an evidence based, best practice domestic violence homicide prevention program being adopted by the department. Initially piloted as a partnership between Fayette Cares and the Somerville Police Department, the goal is to equip every law enforcement department in the county with this innovative program.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) 2017 reports, in Fayette Co. 50% of crimes against persons were domestic violence crimes. Sadly, TN is the 5th worst state for domestic violence murders. LAP uses a research tested screening tool to predict and prevent violence. Fayette Cares is building collaborations to not only identify high-danger victims and immediately provide services for safety, but to also help judges and prosecutors keep abusers off the streets.
This program has the potential to not only save lives, but may reduce recidivism through meaningful interventions and even lessen liability exposure for law enforcement by significantly protecting victims and holding batterers accountable; all of which protects communities.
The devastating consequences of domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, even death, and can cross generations and last a lifetime. Domestic violence is prevalent in every community affecting all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Fayette Cares leads the way in implementing innovative prevention and intervention programs that can change lives and transform communities.
Volunteers are needed to help Fayette Cares save lives as LAP Call Specialists. Interested volunteers must be willing to participate in a minimum of eight (8) hours of training and be available to assist at least 2-4 days per month. To learn more about Fayette Cares or get involved visit FayetteCares.org or call (901) 465-3802 x 221.
