Domestic Violence Unit
The Windsor Police Special Victims Branch is comprised of two units in one, the Special Victims Unit and the Domestic Violence Unit. It is supervised by a Staff Sergeant with eight Detectives who investigate crimes of violence which include sexual assaults, child abuse, and domestic violence. The Domestic Violence Unit is made up of one Sergeant and three Constables and both units work in conjunction with one another investigating crimes ranging from assault, sexual assault, threats to cause death or bodily harm, forcible confinement, criminal harassment/stalking, break and enter, forcible entry, breaches of court orders and property related offences. It may also involve such abusive behaviors as psychological and or emotional abuse, economic control and or progressive social isolation.
Domestic Violence definition
Intimate relationship abuse involves intentionally violent behavior within an intimate relationship.
Intimate relationship definition
An intimate relationship can be between opposite sex or same sex partners. These unions may vary in duration and legal formality and include current and former dating, common law and married couples.
Crimes Investigated
The Windsor Police Domestic Violence unit investigates a number of offences including but not limited to, assault sexual assault, threats to cause death or bodily harm, forcible confinement, criminal harassment/stalking, break and enter, forcible entry, breaches of court orders and property related offences. It may also involve such abusive behaviors as psychological and or emotional abuse, economic control and or progressive social isolation.
What to expect if you call the police
• Police will respond to the call for service.
• Police will conduct a thorough investigation.
• If the officer finds there are reasonable ground to believe that an offence has been committed in an intimate relationship the offender may be arrested and charges will be laid.
• Victim Services of Windsor & Essex County will be called at your request. They will bring you information on domestic
violence issues and resources within our community that may assist you and your children. They can provide for you immediate help with but not limited to:
1. Lock changes
2. Repairs to broken doors or windows
3. Referrals to counseling
4. Replacing broken cell phones
5. Safety planning
• For reasons of public safety the offender may be held for Judicial Intervention. Possible conditions of bail will be discussed with you. When the offender is released from custody you will be notified of the conditions of release.
• The police will ask you to provide a video statement. • If you receive injuries, the police will request you attend for medical treatment and injury photos at the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Center at Windsor Western Hospital, Metropolitan Campus, which will be done by a domestic violence nurse. You will be required to attend the emergency room where you will be seen immediately by triage and the on call nurses with direct you from there.
• If you require emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling or safety planning officer will assist you in contacting our Women’s Shelter Hiatus house.
• When charges are laid you may be required to testify in court. The Crown Attorney will represent you interests in the court process and you will further be assisted by the Victim Witness Assistance Program which consists of workers that will direct you through the court process.