Female Police Officer Speaks Out in Domestic Violence Case

Tori-Lynn Heaton, a Rhode Island police officer, will testify against Joseph Fillion, her husband—a police officer who is charged with 12 counts of domestic violence. Jury selection began earlier this week, and the case will be heard in the Superior Court, Providence. Fillion also faces the felony charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. The case centers around 12 incidents of domestic violence allegedly perpetrated by Fillion against Heaton in 1998. Heaton spoke at FMF’s National Center for Women & Policing annual conference in March about police family violence, and vowed to speak out on the issue. Studies have shown that up to 40 percent of male law enforcement officers commit domestic violence abuse themselves.

Read the most recent Status of Women in Policing Report.

Media Resources: Feminist Majority Foundation and Providence Journal - September 13, 2000 and P. Neidig, H. Russel and A. Seng, “Interspousal Aggression in Law Enforcement Families: A Preliminary Investigation.” Police Studies. 30-38. (1992).

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