NCJ Number
142841
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 35 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1993) Pages: 149-168
Date Published
1993
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The primary objectives of this study were to determine the dangerousness of domestic disturbances to police officers and to identify factors that increase the risks of injury to officers who attend them.
Abstract
The first objective was achieved by collecting and analyzing police statistics on police injuries and calls for service. The collection and analysis of survey data from a random sample of 646 patrol officers was the primary means of identifying factors that increase the risk of injury in officer responses to domestic disturbances. To assess the relative risks of injury associated with attendance at various kinds of police tasks, a danger rate for each police occurrence was calculated. This was done by dividing the number of injuries by the number of calls for service for each occurrence or activity. Each danger rate was then ranked from high to low. Factors that contributed to the risk of injury had little to do with the personal attributes of the police officer. Situational variables that contributed to the risk of police injuries in responding to domestic disturbances were officers answering the call alone, effort to make an arrest, verbal abuse or physical threat made to officers, officer preparation for the possibility of assault, intoxication of the disputants, and victim physical injury. Domestic disturbances rank third in terms of their dangerousness, following arresting/controlling suspects or prisoners and robbery. 4 tables, 13 notes, and 34 references