NCJ Number
209934
Date Published
March 2005
Length
103 pages
Annotation
This research examined the police response to domestic violence in Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
Police officers from across the State participated in interviews, focus groups, and surveys that obtained information on how police have dealt with domestic violence cases. In addition, consultation with domestic violence agencies and legal services, along with a victim survey, provided an alternative perspective of the police response to domestic violence. Administrative data maintained by the Queensland Police Service (QPS) made it possible to analyze the nature of domestic-violence calls and the workload of the police. The study found that the time taken to deal with domestic violence incidents is substantially greater than that taken to deal with offenses that involve people who are not in a domestic relationship. Most officers believed that the inclusion of nonspousal relationships in domestic violence legislation has substantially increased their workload and has been implemented without adequate consultation with police. Four of the most significant challenges identified by police in dealing with domestic violence calls are a reliance on civil processes and limited investigation of possible criminal charges, an incident-by-incident response that does not adequately manage repeat calls, inefficient procedures for protection-order applications, and the increase in workload for specialist police who deal with domestic violence cases. Among the five recommendations is the recommendation that the QPS develop policies and procedures that specifically direct officers to investigate and collect evidence with a view to proceeding with criminal charges when warranted in domestic violence cases. Another recommendation is that the QPS implement a case management approach that incorporates strategies to address chronic repeat calls for domestic violence incidents. Extensive tables and figures and 74 references