Contributory factors affecting arrest in domestic and non‐domestic assaults

Abstract

Traditionally, police officers have viewed domestic "disputes" as private, family matters. In the 1960s and 1970s, officers were trained not to arrest the perpetrators of domestic violence. Instead, officers were trained to defuse the situation. Some police agencies even developed domestic dispute teams that coupled police and social service workers to mediate these disputes (

Explaining the Prevalence, Context, and Consequences of Dual Arrest in Intimate Partner Cases

“…Some studies that have found a positive relationship between victim injuries and arrest (see, e.g., Berk & Sherman, 1998;Black, 1980;Buzawa & Austin, 1993;Buzawa & Hotaling, 2000;Eigenberg, 2001;Feder, 1996;Ferraro, 1989a;Hotaling and Buzawa 2001). However, other studies have found there to be no significant relationship between the two (see, e.g., Berk & Loseke, 1980-1981Eigenberg et al, 1996;Feder, 1998;D A. Jones & Belknap, 1999;Klinger, 1995;Worden & Pollitz, 1984). Despite the variation in research results, most studies conclude that "the degree of violence or threat of violence to the victim is often of only minimal significance in the arrest decision" (Buzawa & Buzawa, 2003:146).…”

“…While some studies indicate that the police are less likely to arrest in domestic violence cases (see, e.g., Buzawa, Austin, & Buzawa, 1995;Eigenberg, Scarborough & Kappeler, 1996;Fyfe, Klinger & Flavin, 1997;Avakame & Fyfe, 2001;Felson & Ackerman, 2001), other studies show a consistent police response to domestic and non-domestic violence cases (see, e.g. Oppenlander, 1982;Klinger, 1995;Feder, 1998).…”

“…While there is research evidence to show that there is no association between the presence of children in the household and the victim's decision to call the police , several research studies have found that officers are more likely to make an arrest if intimate partner violence is committed in the presence of children or if the children are possibly at risk for abuse or neglect (see, e.g., Buzawa & Austin, 1993;Eigenberg et al, 1996).…”

“…From the perspective of the offender this is a good course of action to take since an offender who has left the scene is far less likely to be arrested than one who remains on the scene (Eigenberg et al, 1996;Feder, 1996;Robinson & Chandeck, 2000). For victims and policymakers this is disconcerting, particularly since there is research indicating that offenders who have left the scene are more dangerous and more likely to reoffend than those who remain on the scene (Buzawa et al, 1999:142).…”

Sex Disparities in Arrest Outcomes for Domestic Violence

“…Further research indicates that the presence of a weapon is a significant factor that is positively related to the police decision to arrest for male suspects (Eigenberg et al, 1996;Jasinski, 2003) but not for females (Ho, 2003).…”