From enforcement to empathy: How law enforcement has evolved through the years
When Jeff Haynes entered the law enforcement academy in 1990, empathy wasn’t a word heard often in the ranks. Officers were trained to enforce, not to understand. But as the decades unfolded, few people would witness — and shape — the transformation of policing toward compassion and victim-centered practice more closely than Haynes himself.
Now in his 35th year in public safety, Haynes serves as the director of public safety at Haywood Community College. His journey — from patrol officer at age 21 to chief deputy at the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office — mirrors the sweeping cultural shift within law enforcement: one that replaced “that’s how we’ve always done it” with “how can we do better?”
The early days: before empathy had a name
When Haynes began his career, the North Carolina legal system lacked the framework to address domestic violence effectively. “We only knew what we knew,” he recalls. “If there was violence but no corroborating witness or evidence, there was very little we could do.” Officers could separate the parties and offer a ride to a friend’s house, but they had no legal remedy to ensure a victim’s safety.
That changed in 1995 with the passage of North Carolina General Statute 50B — the Domestic Violence Protective Order. For the first time, officers had a mandate, literally written into law, to act. “The language changed everything,” Haynes said. “The law said an officer shall arrest. That word — ‘shall’ — took discretion out of the equation. It gave us the authority and the responsibility to intervene.”
The 50B statute also introduced a “cooling down” period, allowing law enforcement to hold alleged offenders for up to 48 hours before release. “It was revolutionary,” Haynes said. “That window gave victims time to breathe, to think, to find safety — and it saved lives.”
Victim-centered policing takes hold
Even with legal tools in place, cultural change came slowly. “Younger officers were more flexible,” Haynes recalls. “But for many, it was hard to let go of the old mindset. It wasn’t about ill intent, it was about unlearning decades of habit.”
Related Items
Local leaders speak out against drunk driving
Haywood opens new EMS base near Lake Junaluska
Cherishing memories of the old ways
Social connection is a lifesaver
The late 1990s brought new partnerships that would help drive this change. In 1998, Haywood County formed one of North Carolina’s first domestic violence task forces, uniting law enforcement with public health, emergency services, prosecutors and victim advocates. “We trained together,” Haynes said. “We learned from SANE nurses, from counselors, from advocates. We began to understand what victim-centered really meant.”
Through federally funded training programs from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office on Violence Against Women, Haynes became both student and teacher, helping train officers across the country on domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse. “It was about more than just following the law,” he explained. “It was about doing what’s ethically and morally right — taking care of those who need to be taken care of.”
Building a culture of understanding
Today, empathy is not just an aspiration but a cornerstone of modern policing. “You can’t serve justice without understanding humanity,” Haynes said. “We have to recognize that anyone, any one of us, could become a victim. When you understand that, your approach changes.”
At HCC, Haynes continues this work by training future officers and supporting students and staff through ongoing education about domestic violence and protective orders.
“Empathy doesn’t mean letting your guard down,” Haynes said. “It means listening, learning and responding with humanity. We’re not just enforcing laws; we’re safeguarding lives.”
A legacy rooted in relationships
After decades of service, Haynes attributes his success to one thing: relationships. “We live and die by our communication skills and relationships,” he said. “I don’t know all the answers, but I know who to call. That’s the strength of a community.”
As he reflects on his career — from the early days before 50B to today’s trauma-informed, victim-centered approach — Haynes sees hope. “Law enforcement has come a long way,” he said. “We’ve learned that real justice isn’t just about arresting the offender. It’s about restoring the survivor.”
(Dr. Sara Vogel is Executive Director of REACH of Haywood County)
