Domestic Disturbances Law Enforcement I

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Domestic Disturbances Verbal or physical arguments among family members 3 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 4 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 5 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 6 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Other Offenses Terroristic threats Harassment Sexual Assault Indecency with a child Criminal mischief Anything else involving people 7 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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. 8 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Common Causes or Reasons Money issues Extramarital affairs Disagreements over parenting Disagreements about other family members Alcohol or drugs 9 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 10 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Diffuse the Situation Separate the parties Remove or reduce other noise Allow the person to vent to you 11 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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? 12 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 13 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Work with Backup Officers Wait for cover Communicate effectively Keep each other in sight 14 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 15 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Communicate Effectively Let the other officer know your party's story Communicate threats Agree on the course of action to take 16 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 17 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Eliminate Threats Make a safe approach ◦Listen before knocking on the door ◦Do not stand in the fatal funnel ◦Have your gun hand free 18 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Eliminate Threats Locate weapons ◦Ask where all the weapons are ◦Take the weapons away in plain view ◦Pat down suspects if necessary 19 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 20 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 21 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Diffuse a Hostile Situation Eliminate other distractions ◦Turn off televisions and radios ◦Have animals put away ◦Try to comfort any children who are watching 22 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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) 23 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 24 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 25 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Use Interviewing Techniques Clarify everything being said ◦Summarize what they said ◦Take notes ◦Ask questions when needed 26 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 27 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 28 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 29 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 30 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

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 31 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Depart the Scene Leave a blue card with pertinent information ‏ Have everyone's information Have photos and written statements 32 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Resources Texas Penal Code Law Enforcement Exploring 33 Copyright © Texas Education Agency All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.