Governor Kathy Hochul has announced new measures aimed at improving law enforcement’s response to domestic violence across New York State. Starting January 1, 2026, all police recruits will be required to complete a Domestic Incident Response section as part of the Basic Course for Police Officers. This initiative is intended to enhance how officers respond to intimate partner and gender-based violence.
Over 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) program have received training focused 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 curriculum includes a 16-hour course that incorporates current research and practices in responding to domestic violence cases. It emphasizes survivor-centered policing and cultural responsiveness. Key components include lethality assessment training, interactive decision-based exercises, trauma-informed interviewing techniques, education about technology-facilitated abuse such as cyberstalking or GPS tracking, and guidance on documenting digital evidence for investigations.
This curriculum was developed by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) with input from the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. The Municipal Police Training Council approved it last month. The overall Basic Course for Police Officers covers more than 700 hours on topics including crisis intervention and cultural diversity.
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 Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence commented: “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 an investment of $20.2 million dedicated by Governor Hochul toward improving community responses through collaboration among police departments, prosecutors’ offices, probation departments, and service providers statewide. In addition over $300,000 has supported technical assistance training delivered by subject-matter experts over recent months.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services continues its broader role supporting state criminal justice operations—overseeing officer training standards; managing accreditation programs; maintaining equipment used by local law enforcement; administering grant funding; analyzing crime data; providing research support; supervising county probation departments; offering alternatives-to-incarceration programs; coordinating youth justice policy—and engaging public audiences via social media platforms.
