The Canton Police Department has a "zero-tolerance" policy towards domestic violence. This means we will vigorously and thoroughly investigate all cases of reported violence and prosecute in a timely fashion.

Unit Leadership

The Domestic Violence Unit is headed by Lieutenant Patricia Sherrill. Lieutenant Sherrill oversees the domestic calls the Canton Police respond to. This encompasses being familiar with all domestic calls including the victims of domestic abuse and the perpetrators of such. Lieutenant Sherrill must also reach out to the victims and their families to be sure that the proper intervention and the proper support network is provided.

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic crimes include all offenses committed against family members, spouses and ex-spouses, roommates, and romantic partners and ex-romantic partners. Domestic violence is not just synonymous with dating violence and spousal abuse. It can also encompass violence between siblings, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster-parents and foster-children, and other family members. Abuse crosses age, race, class, religious, sexual orientation and gender barriers.

Violence comes in many different forms. There is this wide spread illusion that violence only involves hitting, punching, grabbing, etc. There are other forms of violence as well. Aside from physical abuse, there is verbal abuse, psychological / emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.

Support Services

Several support services are available to these families. Examples include Social Services who assist with counseling and / or relief alternatives, Domestic Advocates from the courts who assist with any legal action and / or questions, and several Hot-Line Numbers for all needs. We support the state's motto of "Working together to provide support and resources."

Domestic abuse generally gets worse and the cycle of abuse occurs more frequently when victims do not seek help. There is help available, either through contacting the Canton Police Department at 781-828-1212, the District Attorney's Office 781-830-4800, or through one of the following local battered women's shelters: