The Family Violence Unit is a specialized investigative office created to respond to the problem of family violence in the City of Dallas. The Unit is comprised of a sergeant, detectives, a crime analyst, and a civilian counselor. Since its creation in 1987, the Unit has worked diligently to curb the problem of family violence by investigating and preparing cases against persons responsible for domestic assaults.

In addition to the investigative duties, the Unit is involved in training and community education related to family violence. Officers from the Family Violence Unit regularly provide training to other police agencies by sponsoring seminars on domestic violence and presenting in-service classes for area police officers on their responsibilities in family violence cases.

Family violence is a crime which can victimize any person regardless of race, gender, or background. The Dallas Police Department and the Family Violence Unit stand committed to direct intervention on behalf of all victims of family violence.

The Family Violence Unit actively works to prevent domestic violence through its association with community groups. The Unit is also involved in community education programs related to domestic violence and participates in workshops and conferences aimed at broadening public awareness of the tragedy of this type of crime. The Unit is closely associated with organizations which deal directly with the problem of domestic violence. Its representatives meet regularly with the City of Dallas Domestic Violence Task Force, Lawyers Against Domestic Violence, the Parkland Hospital Battered Women’s Intervention Project, and area women’s shelters, to share information and coordinate efforts and resources.