NCJ Number
166981
Date Published
1992
Length
0 pages
Annotation
The objective of this training videotape is to equip police officers with reality-based information about the dangers associated with domestic dispute investigations.
Abstract
Domestic dispute data were collected from cases reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation over a 10-year period. Data showed the most dangerous time in the domestic dispute call was the first minute. Many police officers responding to domestic disputes were killed while arriving at or approaching the call scene. Most killers were armed and often knew police officers were coming. Almost all police officers killed during the approach stopped in front of the residence. They also failed to use cover and other standard response tactics. About 10 percent of killers hid outside the residence, waiting for the police officer. Several police officers were killed upon initial contact with the suspect, i.e., relatively early in their response. In more than 40 percent of fatal calls, the police officer had some indication there was a greater than usual danger potential. Recognition of this danger and implementation of appropriate tactics would have resulted in fewer police officer deaths. Several incidents occurred when the police officer tried to take forcible control of the situation. Alcohol and police officer impatience played major roles in these incidents. Slightly over 20 percent of police officers killed were victimized after having considerable contact with disputants. About 57 percent of suspects were suicidal. The videotape offers several suggestions to improve police officer safety in domestic dispute cases: realize the first minute is the most dangerous, be patient, restrict movement, assess each individual, and stay alert for the unexpected.