NCJ Number
163970
Date Published
1996
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This chapter reviews the evolution of the police response to family violence.
Abstract
Prior to the 1970's, the most common strategy used by police officers responding to family disturbance calls was "noninvolvement." This response failed to protect victims of spouse abuse, so in the 1970's, departments implemented training that focused on the dynamics of family violence. Training provided officers with skills to help families experiencing crises. In the 1980's, the police were criticized for failing to arrest abusers. State legislatures and police departments responded by developing policies that require officers to arrest spouse abusers; these policies were based on popular but limited research. Neither of these solutions, by themselves, provided the panacea police agencies and society anticipated. The problem was too complex for simple solutions; however, police experiences over the last 20 years offer insight for developing policies in the 1990's. Research shows that the combining of arrest and service perspectives will increase the effectiveness of the police. Further, coordinating police actions with other community agencies will enable a more efficient and focused approach to handling family violence in the community. Chapter questions, simulated exercises, and 72 references