Detective to Focus on Domestic Violence

The Thousand Oaks sheriff’s unit will soon hire a detective whose primary responsibility will be to investigate reports of domestic violence.

Calls are rising, and the city wants to focus more attention on the issue, said Cmdr. Kathy Kemp. Currently, domestic violence cases are assigned to one of six detectives who also are responsible for investigating other crimes.

The new officer will focus on domestic violence cases, Kemp said. “We want a more proactive stance,” she said.

The post will be one of five new law enforcement positions funded by a $375,000 federal grant. Although officers are responding to more reports of suspected domestic disturbances, the number of violent confrontations is actually falling, officials said.

Calls to authorities from neighbors reporting shouting and other disturbances rose from 322 in 1995 to 510 last year, authorities said. But the number of calls where violence was involved decreased during the same period from 153 to 101.

Authorities say an alleged incident of domestic violence last week underscores the need for more attention to the issue. Authorities say a Thousand Oaks resident stabbed himself and his wife on Thursday. Officers found the woman with wounds to the left arm, left leg, upper chest and face. The man had been stabbed in the stomach.

Both survived the attack.

Kemp said residents have become more aware and willing to speak out about domestic disturbances.