NCJ Number
47484
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS POLICE TRAINING FILM USES DRAMATIC PRESENTATIONS OF DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE INCIDENTS TO ILLUSTRATE PROPER AND IMPROPER RESPONSE TECHNIQUES AND OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS.
Abstract
THE FILM'S PRIMARY EMPHASIS IS ON THE FACT THAT ALTHOUGH DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE CALLS ARE FREQUENT, EACH SITUATION IS DIFFERENT, AND THE RESPONDING OFFICER SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT ANY ONE OF THEM COULD BE DANGEROUS. HE IS INSTRUCTED IN VARIOUS TECHNIQUES OF APPROACHING THE RESIDENCE AND OBSERVING THE SURROUNDINGS FOR CLUES AS TO THE BACKGROUND, NUMBER, AND AGES OF OCCUPANTS, AND THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. IN ONE SITUATION, THE POLICE ARE CALLED TO INVESTIGATE A REPORT OF A MAN WITH A GUN. THEY APPROACH THE APARTMENT BUILDING, UNAWARE OF WHERE THIS MAN IS. EXTREME CAUTION IN SUCH A SITUATION IS STRESSED. IN ANOTHER, OFFICERS ARE CALLED TO A RESPECTABLE-LOOKING HOUSE BY NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE HEARD LOUD ARGUMENTS. THE OFFICERS APPROACHING THE HOUSE NOTE SUCH CLUES AS A GOLF BAG PROPPED AGAINST THE CAR, A TRICYCLE IN THE YARD, AND A DISTRESSED CHILD'S FACE IN AN UPSTAIRS WINDOW. THE NARRATOR EMPHASIZES THAT THE OFFICERS MUST MAKE THEIR INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE OCCUPANTS COURTEOUS AND EVEN, YET FIRM AND AUTHORITATIVE. THESE OFFICERS USE PROPER TECHNIQUES BY SEPARATING THE COUPLE, DISARMING THE INTOXICATED HUSBAND (WHO IS CARRYING A GOLF CLUB -- A POTENTIAL WEAPON), LISTENING TO EACH SIDE OF THE STORY, AND FINALLY BRINGING THE CHILD IN TO HELP CALM AND RECONCILE THE PARENTS. THE FINAL SCENE IS SHOWN THROUGH THE EYES OF THE AUDIENCE, AS IF THEY WERE AN OFFICER RESPONDING TO A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE CALL IN A RURAL AREA. THE OFFICER IS RUDE, AGGRESSIVE, AND HOSTILE TOWARD THE COMPLAINANT. THIS MAN IN TURN BECOMES EXTREMELY ANGRY AND STRIKES THE OFFICER OVER THE HEAD WITH A TOOL HE IS CARRYING, KILLING HIM. THE SCENE ILLUSTRATES THE DANGER WHICH COULD BE INVOLVED IN THE SIMPLEST CALLS AND SHOWS THE POSSIBLE FATAL CONSEQUENCES OF A CARELESS RESPONSE. (VDA)