NCJ Number
203011
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 51 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2003 Pages: 141-149
Date Published
2003
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Released in April 1999, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Model Policy for handling cases of domestic violence perpetrated by police employees encompasses prevention and training, early warning and intervention, incident response protocols, victims safety and protection, and postincident administrative and criminal decisions.
Abstract
The IACP Model Policy establishes zero tolerance for domestic violence by police employees. Such zero tolerance is promulgated through comprehensive baseline education and training for all employees. Training also addresses the nature of domestic violence, departmental domestic violence response protocol, the warning signs of domestic violence by officers, victim safety, and Federal domestic violence laws. As part of early warning and intervention, the IACP Model Policy recommends background investigations that screen out candidates with a history of perpetrating domestic violence or other forms of abuse. Other methods of early warning and intervention include a psychological examination and workshops on domestic violence for the family members of employees. According to the IACP Model policy, all supervisors are responsible for monitoring employee behavior for warning signs that an officer may be engaging in domestic violence or other forms of abuse. The department then is responsible for providing nonpunitive means of assistance, such as confidential referrals to confidential counseling for those officers who might be at risk. Under the Model Policy, officers who have knowledge of a fellow officer's involvement in domestic violence must report this to their supervisors; failure to do so can result in an investigation and possible sanctions. The Model Policy also specifies procedures for departmental follow-up after responding to accusations of domestic violence by an officer. Regarding victim safety and protection, the Model Policy requires a number of measures, including making available all necessary and appropriate services, assigning a member of the command staff to be the victim's primary liaison, keeping confidential the victim's location, the development of a safety plan, and assigning responsibility for removing weapons from the home. Once an incident of domestic violence by an officer is reported, the department is responsible for initiating parallel criminal and administrative investigations. For the criminal investigation, the Model Policy specifies the following responsibilities of the department: initiating an investigation with the domestic violence unit or other unit responsible for criminal investigations; conducting sufficient taped interviews with victims, witnesses, and others with information; documenting each individual incident separately and investigating it; seeking prosecution even if the victim recants; assigning a liaison to work with the prosecutor; and requesting a filing of court papers or complaints for criminal prosecution. If the case results in a conviction, Federal law prohibits the officer from carrying firearms.