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Rutherford County Sheriff's Office
Criminal Investigations Division

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office offers a proactive approach in response to Domestic Violence.Domestic Violence is preventable. Thorough investigation of incidents of Domestic Violence and appropriate enforcement of applicable laws should result in reductions in Domestic homicides, assaults, spousal rapes, stalking, harassment and Domestic hostage situations.

  • Domestic Abuse Defined:
    Inflicting or attempting to inflict physical injury on an adult or minor by other than accidental means, placing an adult or minor in fear of physical harm, physical restraint, or malicious damage to the personal property of the abused party
    (Tenn 36-3-601).

  • Who can be a Victim:
    1. Adults or minors who are current or former spouses.
    2. Adults or minors who live together or who have lived
       together.
    3. Adults or minors who are dating or who have had a sexual
       relationship.
    4. Adults or minors related by blood or adoption.
    5. Adults or minors who are related or were formerly
       related by marriage.
    6. Adult or minor children of a person in a relationship
       that is described in 1-5 (Tenn 36-3-601)

  • Preferred response by Law Enforcement:
    Law Enforcement Officers shall arrest a person committing
    Domestic Abuse, unless there is a clear and compelling
    reason not to arrest. (Tenn 36-3-601)

  • The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Domestic Violence Unit
    The RCSO Domestic Violence Unit operates under the direction of the Criminal Investigations Division. There are currently two Detectives assigned to the unit with future plans of growing. Services provided by the Unit include, but are not limited to:
    1. Domestic Abuse follow-ups: follow-up photographs,
       re-interviewing witnesses, collection of evidence
    2. Offering assistance to victims: obtaining criminal
       warrants, obtaining order of protection, offering
       available information, property retrieval from the home.
    3. On scene investigation of Domestic Abuse cases
    4. Arrest of Domestic Abuse offenders
    5. Teaching Domestic Abuse dynamics to Law Enforcement
       Personnel.
    6. Serving criminal warrants and orders of protection.

    The Unit operates in the Tennessee Sixteenth Judicial
    District serving Rutherford and Cannon County.

    The Detectives are members of the Sixteenth Judicial
    District Domestic Violence Coalition and its training team.

    If you are a victim of Domestic Violence, know there is   help available.

  • Safety Planning when preparing to leave a Domestic Abuser:
    1. Open a savings account in your own name to start to
       establish or increase your independence. Think of other
       ways in which you can increase your independence.
    2. Leave money, an extra set of keys, copies of important
       documents, and extra clothing with someone you trust so
       you can leave quickly.
    3. Determine who would be able to let you stay with them or
       lend you some money.
    4. Keep the Shelter phone number close at hand and keep
       some change or a calling card on you at all times for
       emergency phone calls. If possible keep a cellular
       phone with you at all times.
    5. Review your safety plan as often as possible in order
       to plan the safest way to leave your batterer. Remember
       leaving your batterer is the most dangerous time.
    6. Checklist of what you need to take when you leave:
       A. Identification - Driver's License
       B. Child's birth certificate
       C. Your birth certificate
       D. Money
       E. Lease, rental agreement, house deed
       F. Bank books, check books
       G. Insurance papers
       H. House and car keys
       I. Medications
       J. Small saleable objects, address book, pictures
       K. Medical records, social security card, welfare I.D.
       L. School records, work permits, green card, passport
       M. Divorce papers
       N. Jewelry
       O. Child's small toys

    There are other safety plans available depending on your
    situation and specific needs.

    If you need further information on how to file a criminal complaint, contact the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Domestic Violence Unit (615-898-7770) or the Domestic Violence Program (615-896-2032) on how to obtain an Order of Protection.

    ALWAYS REMEMBER--YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE HIT OR THREATENED!