The Role of Police in Domestic Violence

Abstract

In an earlier publication, I introduced a six‐step best practice method for police officers to use when they investigate domestic violence (DV) crime. On average it triples rates of prosecution and doubles rates of conviction. This chapter follows on by describing a five‐step organizational best practice method to support the proper investigation of DV crime by its first‐responding officers. This chapter examines important facts about DV that must be understood in order to effectively support frontline officers in this effort. Seven types of domestic violent relationships are examined, as well as rates of minor and severe DV as they exist worldwide. A deep look is taken at a real‐life example of ongoing DV in a couple, identifying seven events spread across a year wherein 16 separate crimes were committed. The complexity of investigating DV is described. A key block to prosecution of mutual batterers is explained. Two subgroups of police are described: those who routinely investigate thoroughly and those who don't. A sinister technique used by some low‐effort officers to get out of investigating cases of minor DV is revealed.