Police Department

Two Separate DV Calls End without Incident with De-Escalation Efforts

Julie Humphreys, 509.622.5868

Friday, July 31, 2020 at 4:26 p.m.

Two Domestic Violence (DV) calls successfully de-escalated, one with use of Bear Cat, one with K9

This morning Patrol Officers responded to a domestic violence call in the 3200 block of N. Nelson and developed probable cause for a 2^nd assault DV arrest (assaulted victim with a club like implement). The suspect was also wanted on a Department of Corrections warrant for failure to appear on a 2^nd robbery charge.  SPD also had probable cause from a previous incident for burglary and trafficking in stolen property. Officers had made several attempts to convince the suspect to come to the door to talk with them, but he refused to respond to them.

SPD SWAT Officers had just completed another call and responded with their specialized equipment including an armored vehicle, due to the violent nature of the crime and suspect’s refusal to come out of the house. 

While the search warrant was being drafted for the DV charges, the suspect exited the house after seeing the SWAT team and peacefully surrendered to officers. 38- year old Christopher Drzewiecki was arrested and booked into jail.

The suspect presented a risk to officers not only based on his past actions, but his assault with a weapon today.  The man, by surrendering, negated the need for officers to be put at risk forcing entry into the home and physically searching for him.  Drzewiecki was taken into custody without incident and was unhurt.

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In another incident just before midnight last night –July 30^th – Officers  were called to a DV argument in the 1200 block of E. Garland Ave. Officers contacted several people outside and developed probable to arrest 34-year-old Malik Truth Martin.

Officers made contact with Martin via his cell phone.  He denied being inside and refused to cooperate with officers’ requests to exit the house.  PA announcements were made but Martin still refused to come outside and surrender.

Officers approached the front door with a K9 and an arrest team.  They knocked at the front door and Malik opened the door and surrendered to police.  Malik was booked into jail for DV 4^th Degree Assault.  He was uninjured and no physical damage occurred.

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Domestic violence calls are some of the most volatile to which officers respond. Domestic violence is inherently dangerous to the victim and the officers, and has lifelong implications for the children who are victimized by this crime.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, the Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition provides resources at www.endtheviolencespokane.org. If you are in imminent danger, always call 911.

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