Governor Kathy Hochul has announced new measures to improve law enforcement’s response to domestic violence across New York State. Starting January 1, 2026, all police recruits will be required to complete a new Domestic Incident Response section as part of the Basic Course for Police Officers. This change aims to enhance how officers handle cases involving intimate partner and gender-based violence.
In the past six months, nearly 1,000 professionals from law enforcement agencies, district attorney offices, and probation departments in the 17 counties participating in the Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) initiative have received training on trauma-informed and survivor-centered strategies.
“As the daughter of a domestic violence survivor, I know firsthand that the scars of domestic violence run deep; that’s why I’m committed to strengthening resources from law enforcement to support services so we can better protect survivors,” Governor Hochul said. “We’ve made significant progress — allocating record levels of funding for victim services and law enforcement, and empowering district attorneys to take on violent offenders — but our work is far from finished. I’ll never stop fighting to protect families and ensure every New Yorker is safe.”
The updated 16-hour curriculum covers topics such as lethality assessment training, interactive exercises based on real scenarios, trauma-informed interviewing techniques, technology-facilitated abuse like cyberstalking and GPS tracking, and guidance on digital evidence collection. The course was developed by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) with input from the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and approved by the Municipal Police Training Council.
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado stated: “The new Domestic Incident Response curriculum and our growing STRIVE initiative reflect a clear evolution in how New York approaches domestic violence. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we’re equipping officers with the tools to respond with empathy and awareness, and helping communities build survivor-centered systems that protect families and promote long-term change.”
Bea Hanson, Director of the New York State Office of Victim Services, added: “Our goal is to make sure everyone impacted by violence has access to the resources they need and deserve no matter who they reach out to for help. For survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner abuse who choose to report to law enforcement, we need to do everything we can to ensure that the criminal justice system has the training and resources needed to respond appropriately. This project is part of the Governor’s continued commitment to support the safety and healing of those impacted by domestic violence.”
Jara Traina, General Counsel at the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, said: “When survivors call the police for assistance during a domestic violence incident, they deserve a response that is survivor-centered and trauma-informed. Be it through programs like STRIVE, revamping trainings for law enforcement, or improvements to gun and discovery reform laws, Governor Hochul has made it clear that New York is committed to combating domestic violence and holding those who harm accountable. OPDV is proud to have taken the lead in writing and training first responders on this new curriculum. We are thankful for the Governor’s leadership, and for collaborations like this one with DCJS that further our mission.”
The STRIVE initiative includes $20.2 million in funding aimed at improving community responses through collaboration among police departments, prosecutors’ offices, probation departments, and service providers. In addition to technical assistance training funded by more than $300,000 from STRIVE over six months, DCJS field advisors continue working directly with local agencies receiving STRIVE funds.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services supports various aspects of New York’s criminal justice system including officer training programs; management of grant funding; analysis of crime data; research support; oversight of county probation departments; alternatives-to-incarceration programs; youth justice policy coordination; equipment accreditation; as well as ensuring proper operation of Breathalyzer devices used by local law enforcement.
