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Kim Humphrey, Commander with the Phoenix Police Professional Standards Bureau and Sojourner Center Board President, has, for a long time, been a resounding voice for bettering our community as a leader, a domestic violence advocate, and protector of victim’s rights, which makes him a deserving candidate for this award.
Commander Humphrey has unknowingly been involved with the issue of domestic violence since his childhood. Kim’s mother fled a domestic violence situation after being hospitalized when her first husband (not Kim’s father) threw her through a plate glass coffee table. Fortunately, she was able to flee and start her life over.
Later, as an adult, Kim began advocating for women and children affected by domestic violence as a police officer in downtown Phoenix. This was in 1982 when mandatory arrest laws were first being introduced as a protection measure for victims. Before then officers would respond to domestic violence calls by separating the parties involved, calming them down, and asking the male to leave for awhile to “cool off.” This approach to providing safety seemed ineffective to Kim and he became increasingly frustrated that no one was held accountable. As a result, Kim has devoted much of his life to advocacy and education work regarding domestic violence.
Kim has gained a national reputation as an expert and trainer regarding law enforcement and domestic violence. Kim has created, written and advocated for training of all law enforcement personnel on domestic violence and how to best support those affected. His curriculum, Threats Management, has been used for over 10 years by the Phoenix Police Department.
Kim has also helped to initiate three major studies on domestic violence in collaboration with the police department and the Morrison Institute at Arizona State University. One study surveyed the attitudes of police officers and prosecutors towards the issue of domestic violence and its victims.
In addition, Kim assisted in the research, design, and implementation of the City of Phoenix Family Advocacy Center, an organization that provides advocacy, police support and other services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Kim also serves on the board of Homeward Bound, is a speaker for the Men’s Anti-violence Network (MAN), is a member and co-chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Domestic Violence Council, has served on the Governor’s Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women, and was co-chair of the Phoenix Domestic Violence Task Force.
Kim joined Sojourner Center’s board of directors in 2003 and currently serves as President. During his tenure, Kim has implemented a plan to move the organization’s board from a fiduciary board to a strategic board, following the Governance as Leadership Board Model. Kim is also a part of the board’s efforts to start an endowment campaign to ensure long-term sustainability for Sojourner Center, knowing shelter is a critical service. Kim has also donated several hours of his time doing hands-on work for the organization, most recently building closets for the Hope Campus.