Bismarck Police Chief Keith Witt will seek permission from the Bismarck City Commission today to apply for $250,000 in domestic abuse grant funds.

Witt said the funding will allow for the hiring of two more officers to specialize in the problem and to provide their needed training for the next two years.

With the city's approval, Witt will apply to the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women Grant.

Witt said they would partner in the application with the Abused Adult Resource Center.

"We have seen a fairly substantial increase in the number of domestic cases. It appears to be greater in the last three years," Witt said. "I think it is a combination of more reporting by victims and more offenses occurring because there are more people."

According to statistics gathered by the Bismarck Police Department:

n 10 aggravated assaults-domestic violence were reported for the city in 2005; 17 were reported in 2006; 23 were reported in 2007; and 32 were reported to date in 2008.

n 172 simple assaults-domestic violence were reported in 2005; 154 were reported in 2006; 145 were reported in 207; and 156 were reported to date in 2008.

n 238 domestic disputes were reported in 2005; 331 were reported in 2006; 355 were reported in 2007; and 263 were reported to date in 2008.

n Eight forcible sexual assaults were reported to police in 2005; 18 were investigated in 2006; 32 were investigated in 2007; and 19 were reported to date in 2008.

n 41 sexual contacts were reported in 2005; 53 in 2006; 61 in 2007; and 73 in 2008.

According to Witt, the officers hired through the grant would be specifically assigned to investigate cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking and to reduce the frequency of these crimes.

He said the maximum they can apply for is $400,000.

To date, an average officer's salary and benefits in Bismarck runs just more tha $50,000 per year. Witt said the request for $250,000 will include two years worth of salaries/benefits for two officers and any special training they will receive.

The funding also would apply to improve the efforts between law enforcement and advocacy groups who aim to protect victims of the crimes.

Witt said the grant does not require the officers' positions continue after the city quits receiving the money.

He explained that due to turnover and retirements within the police department, when the grant money dries up, they would likely be able to absorb the costs of the positions.

The deadline for applying for the grant is Jan. 15.

Today's city commission meeting begins at 5:15 p.m. at the City/County Building.

(Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@;bismarcktribune.com.)