Policing Domestic Violence: Perceptions, Experience, and Reality

Abstract

This research explores police attitudes and experiences with a departmental policy favoring arrest in cases of domestic violence. It also addresses the impact that such a policy may have on future domestic violence calls. Analyses were based on two data sets: (a) calls and arrests recorded for two years prior to the implementation of an arrest policy and for two years after and (b) a survey of patrol and command officers. This is a study of the impact of an arrest policy on the police; it is not a study of domestic violence per se. The findings reflect "normal police operations." Survey data suggest that officers strongly supported both the law permitting spouse arrest and the departmental policy, because it gave them more power, but that they were uncertain of the actual impact on their own return calls and on the victims. The statistical data reveal that arrest minimally impacted the number of subsequent calls; the vast majority of calls resulted in no callbacks whether an arrest was made or not. In looking at prior contact with the police for domestic violence, the impact of arrest was more evident. The greatest impact of arrest was seen on those who had had no prior contacts. The largest proportion of callbacks involved offenders who had prior records for domestic violence and who were not arrested, and the lowest proportion involved offenders with no priors who were arrested. Prior police contacts with victims were also reviewed, revealing that a small but significant proportion of victims had had drunk and disorderly charges, whereas perpetrators showed a high number of contacts for both disorderly and other criminal behaviors. Police experience with these cases has tended to create a selective generalization regarding the nature of domestic violence and the impact of the policy.

Police Response to Intimate Partner Violence in Canada: Do Victim Characteristics Matter?

“…Research considering the potential influence of race, immigrant status, age, and=or income=class shows mixed findings. Some research suggests that police response (e.g., arrest) to IPV is similar regardless of a woman's background characteristics (Fleury 2002;Friday, Metzgar, and Walters 1991), whereas other studies have shown differential police response to IPV (Bowker 1982;Robinson and Chandek 2000;Russell and Light 2006;Yegidis and Berman Renzy 1994), highlighting the impact of women's sociodemographics on their likelihood of obtaining much needed support.…”

Domestic violence and criminal justice training needs of social services workers

“…For example, a large body of research considered whether police officers are more likely to be injured in domestic violence cases (Friday, Metzger, & Walters, 1991;Skorackyj, 1994;Stalnaker, Shields, & Bell, 1993). Research also suggested that some criminal justice officials have problems developing a rapport with domestic violence victims (Websdale, 1995;Websdale & Johnson, 1997).…”

The Impact of Officer and Agency Characteristics on the Likelihood of Arrest in Domestic Violence Situations among Rural Law Enforcement Officers

“…Threats against the officer and use/presence of weapons have been found to increase the likelihood of an arrest (Avakame and Fyfe 2001). Conversely, lack of cooperation by the victim has been observed to lower the chances of an arrest (Friday et al 1991). The relationship between the victim and offender has been found to affect the arrest decision, while the presence of children has been observed to have mixed effects (Robinson and Chandek 2000).…”

“…Research among urban and suburban officers reveals that both the infliction and seriousness of injury to the victim influence arrest decisions, especially those indicating a serious physical assault had taken place (Avakame and Fyfe 2001;Finn and Stalans 1995;Hall 2005;Mignon and Holmes 1995). Furthermore, the demeanor of the suspect is important in the arrest decision, with an arrest being more likely when the suspect's demeanor with the officer(s) is poor or combative (Friday et al 1991;Waaland and Keeley 1985). Additionally, when the suspect appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, there is a greater likelihood of arrest (Avakame and Fyfe 2001;Mignon and Holmes 1995).…”