Collaborative Effort and the Effectiveness of Law Enforcement Training Toward Resolving Domestic Violence

• NCJ Number: 191840
• Author(s): Martha Smithey Ph.D.; Susanne E. Green M.A.; Andrew L. Giacomazzi Ph.D.
• Date Published: November 2000
• Length: 163 pages
• Grant Number(s): 97-WE-VX-0131
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)

Annotation

This document presents information on an approach to combating family violence in the city.

Abstract

Key components of this project were (1) using researchers as academic resources for domestic violence, theory, training, policies, and program evaluation; (2) strengthening the partnership under the “Four T” approach (training, tracking, targeting, and transferring) among the police, district attorney, shelter for battered women, and other service providers; (3) monitoring of inter-agency collaboration; and (4) outcome evaluation of the effects of inter-agency domestic violence training. The project setting was a large and growing metropolitan area located in the southwest United States. Family violence against female spouses is the most common type of reported family violence in the city. The evaluation methods were focus group interviews and archival research. One major finding was that the hypothesis that the domestic violence training would change police officer attitudes toward traditional gender roles was not supported. Another finding was that the domestic violence training did not dispel belief in inaccurate or simplistic causes of family violence. There was uniformity among all police officers that family violence was not a personal or private matter and that police officers should spend an appropriate amount of time on the scene assisting or managing the dispute. The police officers tended to disagree with the idea that a victim’s level of cooperation was an indication of desire to resolve his/her current situation. The domestic violence training did not change police officer attitudes toward mandatory arrest. Police officers tended not to have an opinion about the effectiveness of mandatory arrest. The police officers tended to have “no opinion” about the likelihood of prosecution. Female officers were slightly more likely than male officers to view prosecution as likely. Police officers tended to have no opinion regarding the ease with which a perpetrator in a domestic violence dispute could be identified. Although respondents had favorable opinions toward the training, there was little change in attitudes as a result of the intervention. 23 references, 27 exhibits, 4 appendices, 6 endnotes