Free class for peace officers counts toward TCLEOSE

One of the most difficult and dangerous situations for a peace officer involves domestic violence, according to Wanda Whitcomb, Family Services Newton County outreach coordinator.

The Texas Municipal Police Association will offer five hours of free TCLEOSE training for law enforcement officers May 20 at the Community Church in Jasper. The class will cover best practices in responding to domestic violence.

The first speaker will be Wanda Whitcomb, on Domestic Violence 101. Whitcomb works with the women's shelter and promotes anger management training to help families break the cycle of abuse.

Detective Jon Lumbley of the Dallas Police Department will give tips on interviewing victims of domestic violence; after a lunch break he will return to the podium to tell officers how to determine the predominant aggressor when both parties seem violent.

D'An Anders, a technical advocate, will speak on advocacy issues and the best practices for protective orders.

The class is sponsored by Family Services Newton County Outreach, the Jasper City Police Dept., the Texas Advocacy Project, Office of the Attorney General, the Dallas District Attorney's Family Violence Division, and the Texas Municipal Police Association.

Advance registration must be completed and returned by May 16 to Wanda Whitcomb in Newton; phone 378-8488. fax 384-1226.