NCJ Number
208246
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 52 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2004 Pages: 108-111
Date Published
November 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of a law enforcement agency's policies for preventing and responding to domestic abuse by an officer.
Abstract
A comprehensive policy that pertains to officer-involved domestic abuse enables the agency to adopt a proactive approach that can prevent family abuse cases in the ranks. The policy should be a zero-tolerance posture that recognizes the high standard of behavior required of law enforcement officers. At a minimum, an agency policy on domestic abuse by an officer should address victim safety and protection, prevention and training, early warning and prevention, incident response protocol, agency follow-up, and post-incident administrative and criminal decisions. Supervisors should respond immediately to all reported domestic violence scenes when a law enforcement officer is involved, and arrests should be made based on probable cause. The supervisor should offer services to the alleged victim, such as offering transportation to a safe location, providing referrals to community services, and providing information on how the case will be handled. Regarding Federal law that prohibits a person under an order of protection from possessing a personal fire arm or ammunition, law enforcement officers are excluded, unless the specific protection order states the officer cannot possess a firearm at any time. An officer convicted of domestic violence may not be fired but can be reassigned to an administrative position that does not require carrying a firearm.