By Forum Staff
The City on Thursday announced the launch of the NYPD’s Domestic Violence Unit—the largest unit of its kind in the nation.
The new unit will have approximately 450 domestic violence investigators who will be fully dedicated to prevention and investigating domestic violence cases, while building stronger relationships with survivors. The full roll-out began this week, and the new unit will operate across all five boroughs.
DVU cops and detectives will be reassigned from the Patrol Services Bureau and Housing Bureau to the Detective Bureau, where they will lead domestic violence investigations from beginning to end. Previously, precinct and housing officers — as well as detectives from local precinct squads — were designated to work on domestic violence cases, resulting in duplication of work at multiple points. Through this approach, domestic violence casework will be streamlined — with DVU investigators taking on added responsibility for each case, and with survivors benefiting from consistent support, efficient investigations, and successful case outcomes.
In coordination with survivors and domestic violence organizations, the NYPD enhanced training for all officers in the new investigative unit. Previously, officers received training in survivor interaction, child abuse, human trafficking, and elder abuse investigations, often condensed into a single-day session. Now, the training will be expanded to a mandatory two-day, in-person training, as well as additional virtual sessions, so they can formally learn to advance investigative skills, peer support, and interrogation techniques.
The NYPD is also introducing two new roles to support best practices and support training: domestic violence counsel and domestic violence director of prevention & intervention. The domestic violence counsels will work with the city’s five district attorneys to prioritize the needs of survivors and build successful cases and prosecutions. Then, the domestic violence directors of prevention & intervention will formalize and expand training programs for police officers who interact with domestic violence survivors and offenders.
To assist with apprehensions, the NYPD will also establish Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Investigation Card Teams — comprised of eight sergeants and 40 detectives and police officers — to locate and apprehend suspects wanted for domestic violence offenses. This critical intervention tactic acknowledges the complex dynamics of domestic violence incidents and gets help for persons doing harm, while keeping survivors and families safe.
The DVU will be led by Deputy Chief John Corbisiero, who will report directly to Citywide Investigations, led by Assistant Chief Michael Baldassano under Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. Corbisiero — a 40-year veteran of the NYPD — rose through the ranks, including as commanding officer of Brooklyn’s 90th Precinct, Narcotics Borough Queens South, and the Chief of Department’s Domestic Violence Unit.
“The South Asian Women Project applauds this historic step to strengthen support for survivors of domestic violence,” said Rahnum Tasnuva, founder and executive director, South Asian Women Project. “This initiative reflects a significant policy advancement toward strengthening survivor protections, enhancing culturally competent responses, and ensuring equitable access to justice. We look forward to continued collaboration with city leadership and law enforcement to ensure that survivors from all communities, including South Asian immigrant populations, receive the comprehensive and respectful support they deserve.”
