El Paso Police Helping To Curb Domestic Violence

EL PASO, TX. – October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.

Over the past year, the El Paso Police Department has seen a 14% increase in cases of family violence. El Paso Police Chief Richard Wiles told ABC-7 what officers are doing to curb that number. They will no longer leave the decision over whether to press charges in cases of domestic violence up to the victims. This is a significant change from the past.

Wiles pointed to a number of incidents over the past few years, including the murder of Maria Luisa Corral. Her boyfriend, Richard Flores, stuffed her body in his closet and was recently convicted and sentenced to 99 years in prison.

Thepolicechiefalso pointed to the death of Tonya Marie West, who was shot to death by Quinn Cruz. He was sentenced to life in prison. Wiles said when he came up with this idea he also had the safety of his officers in mind. He pointed out that domestic violence calls are the most dangerous. He said the death of officer andrew barcena a couple of years ago while responding to a domestic violence call is a good example.

Wiles said this will allow his officers to make arrests where there is probable cause and allow victims to stay completely out of the decision

“There’s many times reluctance on the part of the victims or complainant to prosecute, because typically it involves their loved ones, their husband, their boyfriend, a family member, roommate; some connection there and there is a reluctance because they fear retaliation,” said Chief Wiles.