New York City has launched a new Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) within the Police Department, marking what officials describe as the nation’s largest specialized team dedicated to addressing domestic violence. The initiative, announced by Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, will deploy about 450 investigators across all five boroughs to strengthen survivor support and improve investigations.
The DVU will consolidate efforts that were previously divided among precinct and housing officers. Investigators will now manage domestic violence cases from start to finish under the Detective Bureau, a move officials say will reduce overlap and ensure consistent, survivor-focused responses. The rollout begins next week.
Mayor Adams emphasized that public safety extends beyond streets and transit. “Domestic violence rips people’s lives apart, and we have a sacred duty to protect survivors,” he said, underscoring that the new unit will bring additional resources and faster justice for victims. Commissioner Tisch described the restructuring as the most significant shift in domestic violence response in more than 30 years, highlighting the need for officers with specialized skills and trauma-informed training.
Officers joining the DVU will undergo enhanced instruction, including a two-day in-person training on survivor interaction, investigative methods, and prevention strategies. The NYPD will also introduce new leadership roles — domestic violence counsels and directors of prevention and intervention — to coordinate with prosecutors and expand training citywide.
Deputy Chief John Corbisiero, who has served with the NYPD for four decades, will oversee the new unit within the Chief of Detectives’ division. Organizations including Safe Horizon and Sanctuary for Families praised the initiative as a meaningful step toward improving collaboration between police and domestic violence survivors.
