NCJ Number
156472
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 22 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1995) Pages: 46-51
Date Published
1995
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines State laws as well as police policies and training regarding domestic violence.
Abstract
IN New York State, the law dictates that an officer must arrest the suspect in a domestic violence incident if certain specified situtations exist. In Delaware, a misemeanor formerly had to be committed in the officer's presence before an arrest could be made. Now, if there is significant evidence that violence occured, an officer can arrest the suspect. In Phoenix, the victim does not have to aid in prosecution. If there is sufficient evidence of domestic violence, and arrest can be made; eight acts are specified as grounds for arrest in domestic violence in Arizona. In an effort to teach young officers the seriousness of domestic abuse and to inform them about pertinent laws, police academies throughout the country have introduced into their curricula sections that deal with domestic violence. Generally, the process that is followed from the time a domestic-violence call comes in to the time it is investigated is similar from State to State. Usually the dispatcher sends out the message and two officers respond. When the officers arrive at the scene, both parties are separated until it can be determined what has happened and the degree fo the crime. The officers then assess whether first aid is needed; and in any case, officers must take a report from the two parties.