NCJ Number
129177
Date Published
1991
Length
9 pages
Annotation
State policies and officer responsibilities are discussed regarding enforcement of arrests in domestic violence cases.
Abstract
Minneapolis and six other States implemented policy changes in the use of arrest for domestic violence enforcement. However, some court cases seem to indicate that arrests do not lead to deterrence of domestic violence and that other approaches need to be considered. In handling a domestic violence case, a police officer may not discriminate against anyone on the basis of gender, marital status, or other factors. The officer should also provide adequate protection to the victim while emphasizing to the offender that the criminal action is initiated by the State and not the victim. To assist in this matter, law enforcement training needs to provide information about batterers' characteristics and their cyclical patterns of behavior. Officer compliance and training, victim assistance, case reporting, and crime prevention including advisory and referral sources are important components of a training program. Proper training, expertise, and attitudes of the police officer will produce law enforcement responses that are effective. 34 notes