Domestic Disturbances Law Enforcement I

Objectives 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. 2UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Domestic Disturbances Verbal or physical arguments among family members 3UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Family Related by blood or marriage Former spouses Parents of the same child (even if they don't live together) ‏ Roommates and former roommates Dating Relationships 4UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Dating Relationship Type of relationship is determined by Length of the relationship Nature of the relationship The frequency and types of interaction between the persons involved 5UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

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 used Murder ◦The victim is dead 6UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Other Offenses Terroristic threats Harassment Sexual Assault Indecency with a child Criminal mischief Anything else involving people 7UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Differences 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. 8UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Common Causes or Reasons Money issues Extramarital affairs Disagreements over parenting Disagreements about other family members Alcohol or drugs 9UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

A Police Officer’s Role Diffuse the situation Determine if a crime has occurred Determine the best course of action to take Work with backup officers appropriately 10UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Diffuse the Situation Separate the parties Remove or reduce other noise Allow the person to vent to you 11UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Determine if a Crime Occurred Some questions to ask ◦Has there been physical contact? ◦Are you hurt or offended? ◦Is it just a verbal argument? 12UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Determine a Course of Action Make an arrest if necessary Convince or assist one of the persons to leave Allow everyone to stay if there was no offense 13UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Work with Backup Officers Wait for cover Communicate effectively Keep each other in sight 14UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Wait for Cover Do not go in by yourself if you don't have to Go in together when the door opens Do not make an arrest alone 15UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Communicate Effectively Let the other officer know your party's story Communicate threats Agree on the course of action to take 16UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Keep 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 17UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Eliminate Threats Make a safe approach ◦Listen before knocking on the door ◦Do not stand in the fatal funnel ◦Have your gun hand free 18UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Eliminate Threats Locate weapons ◦Ask where all the weapons are ◦Take the weapons away in plain view ◦Pat down suspects if necessary 19UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Eliminate Threats Interview in safe areas ◦Keep away from the kitchen area ◦Keep away from the garage ◦Search a couch before they sit on it 20UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Diffuse 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 21UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Diffuse a Hostile Situation Eliminate other distractions ◦Turn off televisions and radios ◦Have animals put away ◦Try to comfort any children who are watching 22UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Diffuse a Hostile Situation 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) 23UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Use 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 24UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Use Interviewing Techniques Ask open-ended questions ◦Allow them to tell you the whole story ◦Don't put words in their mouths ◦Be an active listener 25UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Use Interviewing Techniques Clarify everything being said ◦Summarize what they said ◦Take notes ◦Ask questions when needed 26UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

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 27UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Determine Appropriate Action Third Party ◦Ask if the witness saw who was hit first ◦Determine if the witness is biased ◦Decide if the marks match the story 28UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Determine Appropriate Action Officer's options ◦Texas has a “no tolerance” policy ◦Most departments require that some kind of action is taken:  Citation  Arrest or  Disturbance report 29UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Possible 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 30UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Possible 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 31UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Depart the Scene Leave a blue card with pertinent information ‏ Have everyone's information Have photos and written statements 32UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.

Resources Texas Penal Code Law Enforcement Exploring UNT in partnership with TEA, Copyright ©. All rights reserved.33