Animal welfare and law enforcement partner to protect animals and police

[JUNE 14, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Illinois Regional Institute for Community Policing are announcing an innovative online training course for law enforcement professionals. "Animal Abuse Prevention for Law Enforcement" covers methods to effectively handle cruelty and domestic violence cases where animals are in harm's way. According to Dr. Randy Lockwood, senior vice president for anti-cruelty initiatives and training for the ASPCA, "Animal abuse is domestic violence, and it is a destabilizing force within our communities. Course work aimed at reducing the incidents of animal abuse directly impacts law enforcement's efforts to extinguish domestic violence -- one family at a time."

Over a year in development, this online course provides a unique platform from which the officer can learn. "Officers have access to this program around the clock anywhere an Internet hookup is available -- including their squad cars. Because of the self-paced nature of the course, officers can take the course all at once, or a portion of it as time permits," says Rendi Williams, director of e-learning for the ASPCA. Participants will study:

• Officer safety during hazardous situations involving animals.

• Animal abuse and community policing and the linkages with other serious crime issues, such as serial killings, gangs, drugs and illegal weapons.

• Investigative and evidence collection techniques.

• State laws.

"The recognition of animal abuse can help identify other victims of violence within the family structure. In the case of neglect, practitioners can now orchestrate a teaching-in-the-moment opportunity -- one that will allow families to understand the ramifications of the abuse, not merely from the judicial aspect, but from the humane aspect as well," suggests Linda Drager, director for the Regional Institute for Community Policing.

The online curriculum makes extensive use of case studies, simulations, video clips and problem-solving scenarios to simulate the police working environment.

Officers throughout Illinois can register for and participate in this important program during June 2006. Long-term plans include a national rollout of the program and additional topics, including investigating equine cruelty.

The Regional Institute for Community Policing is a collaborative partnership with the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority in Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Institute of Government and Public Affairs. This unique relationship with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will continue to provide innovative training and education for those who fight the war against domestic violence, animal neglect and animal cruelty.

For registration information, visit http://www.aspca.org or http://ricp.uis.edu.

[Regional Institute for Community Policing news release]