NCJ Number
148955
Date Published
1993
Length
88 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results of a study of the use of arrest in domestic violence in Virginia, so as to use the information gathered to update the domestic violence curriculum for local law enforcement in Virginia and revise Police/Sheriff's Department General Order 2-32 (model domestic violence policy for Virginia law enforcement agencies). Several methods were used to determine the scope and the effectiveness of arrest practices in Virginia. Project staff surveyed local law enforcement agencies to discover the number and characteristics of departments that took advantage of warrantless arrest legislation passed in 1984. They also conducted an indepth analysis of the Alexandria Domestic Violence Intervention Project, a program that implemented an arrest policy 3 years prior to the evaluation. This analysis included interviews with members of the multidisciplinary team, a survey of Alexandria police officers, and an examination of batterer recidivism rates. Results of the study of batterer recidivism rates generally supported the use of arrest and treatment, with a consistent decline in recidivism from 1988 through 1991; however, rate changes were not statistically significant, and caution should be used in drawing conclusions. A substantial amount of relevant information was gleaned from this project and used to revise the domestic violence curriculum for law enforcement officers. A series of training sessions was conducted in the summer of 1992 and resulted in the further demand for these classes in 1993. This information was also used to update the model domestic violence intervention policy that will be distributed to all law enforcement agencies in Virginia. Implications for community intervention programs as well as development of arrest policies are discussed in the section on recommendations. A 23-item bibliography and appended tables and figures