domestic disturbances law enforcement i. objectives the student will be able to: identify why...

Domestic DisturbancesDomestic DisturbancesLaw Enforcement I

ObjectivesObjectives

The student will be able to: Identify why domestic violence is such a big issue in our

society. Discuss how an officer safely responds to a domestic

disturbance and what the officer is expected and required to do.

Formulate a plan for a domestic violence victim to get out of their life circumstance.

Role play a scenario in which the student is an officer in a domestic disturbance, and must implement the skills and concepts learned.

Assess other students’ effectiveness as officers in the scenarios.

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Domestic DisturbancesDomestic Disturbances

Verbal or physical arguments among family members


Family Family

Related by blood or marriageFormer spousesParents of the same child (even if

they don't live together) Roommates and former roommatesDating Relationships


Dating RelationshipDating Relationship

Type of relationship is determined byLength of the relationshipNature of the relationshipThe frequency and types of

interaction between the persons involved


Most Common Offenses Most Common Offenses

Class C Assault◦ The victim is offended by the contact

Class A Assault◦The victim has sustained a bodily injury

Aggravated Assault◦The victim has sustained a serious bodily injury or

◦A deadly weapon is usedMurder

◦The victim is dead


Other OffensesOther Offenses

Terroristic threatsHarassmentSexual AssaultIndecency with a childCriminal mischiefAnything else involving

people


Differences in These CallsDifferences in These Calls

If an officer has probable cause to believe an offense has occurred, he or she can make an arrest right away, even if they did not see it happen.


Common Causes or ReasonsCommon Causes or Reasons

Money issuesExtramarital affairs Disagreements over parentingDisagreements about other family

membersAlcohol or drugs


A Police Officer’s RoleA Police Officer’s Role

Diffuse the situationDetermine if a crime

has occurredDetermine the best

course of action to takeWork with backup

officers appropriately


Diffuse the SituationDiffuse the Situation

Separate the partiesRemove or reduce other noiseAllow the person to vent to you


Determine if a Crime OccurredDetermine if a Crime Occurred

Some questions to ask◦Has there been physical contact?◦Are you hurt or offended?◦Is it just a verbal argument?


Determine a Course of ActionDetermine a Course of Action

Make an arrest if necessaryConvince or assist one of the persons

to leaveAllow everyone to stay if there was

no offense


Work with Backup OfficersWork with Backup Officers

Wait for coverCommunicate effectivelyKeep each other in sight


Wait for CoverWait for Cover

Do not go in by yourself if you don't have to

Go in together when the door opensDo not make an arrest alone


Communicate EffectivelyCommunicate Effectively

Let the other officer know your party's story

Communicate threatsAgree on the course of action to take


Keep Each Other In SightKeep Each Other In Sight

Know where the other officer is at all times

Tell your partner if you go into another room

Know how close the suspect is to both of you


Eliminate ThreatsEliminate Threats

Make a safe approach◦Listen before knocking on the door◦Do not stand in the fatal funnel◦Have your gun hand free



Locate weapons◦Ask where all the weapons are◦Take the weapons away in plain view◦Pat down suspects if necessary



Interview in safe areas◦Keep away from the kitchen area◦Keep away from the garage◦Search a couch before they sit on it


Diffuse a Hostile SituationDiffuse a Hostile Situation

Separate the parties◦Use justifiable physical force if necessary◦Yell to gain their attention◦Assert your authority and presence as an officer



Eliminate other distractions◦Turn off televisions and radios◦Have animals put away◦Try to comfort any children who are watching



Calm the person down◦Allow the person to tell his or her perspective

◦Use verbal and nonverbal clues to show that you are listening

◦Be honest (within reason)


Use Interviewing TechniquesUse Interviewing Techniques

Keep your gun side away◦Stand at a bladed stance◦Be aware of people behind you◦Keep your gun hand free when possible◦Keep your hands at or above your waist



Ask open-ended questions◦Allow them to tell you the whole story◦Don't put words in their mouths◦Be an active listener



Clarify everything being said◦Summarize what they said◦Take notes◦Ask questions when needed


Determine Appropriate Action Determine Appropriate Action

Physical Contact◦Look for marks or bruises◦Determine if the victim is being honest

Consider possible reasons for the victim to lie

◦Determine if it is only a verbal argument



Third Party◦Ask if the witness saw who was hit first

◦Determine if the witness is biased

◦Decide if the marks match the story



Officer's options◦Texas has a “no tolerance” policy◦Most departments require that some kind of action is taken: Citation Arrest or Disturbance report


Possible SolutionsPossible Solutions

Verbal Argument ◦One of the parties leaves for the night◦A family member or friend comes over◦Convince them to cool off if they stay


Possible SolutionsPossible Solutions

Physical Argument◦No offense – disturbance report◦Class C – write a ticket or take to jail◦Class A or above – jail◦An Emergency Protective Order may be required


Depart the SceneDepart the Scene

Leave a blue card with pertinent information

Have everyone's informationHave photos and written statements


ResourcesResources

Texas Penal Codehttp://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Index.aspx

Law Enforcement Exploring http://www.learning-for-life.org/exploring/lawenforcement/

UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved. 33

domestic disturbances law enforcement i. objectives the student will be able to: identify why...

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