Domestic and Dating Violence.pdf

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 05.02 DOMESTIC AND DATING VIOLENCE Revised: January 2, 2020 I. PURPOSE: This standard operating procedure provides employees with direction and guidelines for an effective response to domestic/dating violence situations consistent...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 05.02 DOMESTIC AND DATING VIOLENCE Revised: January 2, 2020 I. PURPOSE: This standard operating procedure provides employees with direction and guidelines for an effective response to domestic/dating violence situations consistent with the Florida State Statutes and Department procedures. Whenever incidents of domestic/dating violence are alleged to have occurred, Department employees will quickly respond to protect the victim, facilitate medical treatment, arrest the perpetrator in accordance with Florida law, and provide support to the victim and affected children consistent with Department policies and procedures. II. DEFINITIONS: Dating Violence: Violence between individuals who have or have had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. A dating relationship must have existed within the past 6 months, characterized by the expectation of affection or sexual involvement between the parties. The frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship must have included that the persons have been involved over time and on a continuous basis during the course of the relationship. Family or Household Member Domestic: Spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, persons who are presently residing together as if a family or who have resided together in the past as a family, and persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have resided together at any time. With the exception of persons who have a child in common, the family or household members must be currently residing or have in the past resided together in the same single dwelling unit. Minor Child: A child who is 17 years of age or younger. Probable Cause: Where the facts and circumstances within the law enforcement officers' knowledge and of which they had reasonably trustworthy information are sufficient in themselves to warrant a person of reasonable caution in the belief that an offense has been or is being committed. Violence: Any assault, battery, aggravated battery, kidnapping, false imprisonment, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, domestic battery by strangulation or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family household member by another who is or was residing in the same single dwelling unit. Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 1 of 15 III. PROCEDURE: A. COMMUNICATIONS SECTION EMPLOYEES: 1. Public safety dispatchers and public safety call takers (PSD/PSCTs) shall dispatch law enforcement officers (LEOs) in all situations involving domestic/dating violence. 2. The priority of a domestic/dating violence call shall be gauged in accordance with the priority criteria prescribed by generally applicable Department procedures, as set forth in Departmental Standards Directive 41.230 Response to Calls for Service. 3. PSDs shall dispatch two LEOs to all domestic/dating violence calls. 4. PSDs (PSCTs) shall follow the appropriate established guidelines for dispatching in the CAD system for case entry, key questions, and post-dispatch instructions. 5. Whenever possible, any interpreter should be unaffiliated with the victim and the perpetrator. 6. If the crime is in progress, Communications Section employees should keep the complainant on the telephone and ask him/her not to hang up the telephone, even if he/she is away from it, provided the victim is not in any immediate danger. 7. PSDs shall not cancel the law enforcement response to a domestic/dating violence complaint whether the request is made during the initial call or a follow-up call but shall advise the LEOs of the request. B. INITIAL RESPONSE AND ENTRY: 15.09 1. In responding to domestic/dating violence calls, LEOs shall act in accordance with written directives for Code 1 responses as set forth in Departmental Standards Directive 41.230 Response to Calls for Service. 2. If refused entry, the LEOs should be persistent about seeing and speaking alone to the victim or complainant. 3. If access to this person is refused, the LEOs should request that the PSD attempt contact with the victim or complainant by telephone. 4. If access is still refused and the LEOs have reason to believe that someone is in imminent or immediate danger, the LEOs should use appropriate force to gain entry. C. ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION AND REPORT WRITING: 15.09 1. The initial actions of the responding LEOs should be to ensure the safety of all persons at the scene, including the following: Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 2 of 15 a. Separate the victim and offender physically, verbally, and, if possible, visually. If circumstances permit, move them into separate rooms. b. Take possession of all involved weapons and secure any other weapons that pose an immediate threat at the scene, seizing only in accordance with law. c. Assess the severity of injuries to parties and apply or call for the appropriate level of aid for any injured parties. d. 2. Locate and check the welfare of any children and others at the scene. On-scene investigation by the LEOs shall include the following steps: a. Interview all parties and potential witnesses, including neighbors as appropriate, separately and out of visual/hearing range of each other, if possible. b. Request that appropriate resources be made available via phone or at the scene if communications are impaired by the special needs of any party; e.g., the person is hearing impaired or needs an interpreter. c. Determine what crime(s) have occurred and if the relationship is “domestic” or “dating” violence as defined by Florida law. d. Determine the nature and extent of all injuries, including defensive wounds; e.g., on the inside of the arms or palms of the hands. e. Ascertain if a female victim is pregnant and whether the suspect is aware of her condition and obtain the name of the health care provider, if possible. f. Determine the primary aggressor using the following factors and the LEO’s judgment: i. Extent of any injury inflicted ii. Fear of physical injury because of past or present threats iii. Actions taken in self-defense or to protect oneself iv. History of violence perpetrated by one party against the other v. Existence or history of orders for protection g. Collect and record physical evidence and, where appropriate, take color photographs and/or videos of injuries and property damage as follows: i. Date and initial photos, if possible ii. If needed, request a crime scene technician and seize plain view evidence Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 3 of 15 iii. If possible and consistent with Florida State Statutes, Chapters 741 or 784, obtain sworn written or audio/video recorded statements from the victim and any witnesses, including children, as appropriate iv. Attempt to obtain a written or audio/video recorded statement from the suspect and submit these statements in accordance with Department procedure 3. LEOs shall not threaten, suggest, or otherwise indicate the possible arrest of all parties or the removal of the children from the home, with the intent of discouraging requests for police intervention by any party. 4. In accordance with Florida State Statutes, Chapter 741 or 784, the LEO shall, in a timely manner, prepare a written police report if there has been an allegation of domestic/dating violence, regardless of whether or not an arrest has been made. 5. If no probable cause exists to make an arrest, the LEO shall inform the complainant the reasons why no arrest was made and that he/she can contact the Office of the State Attorney to have the case reviewed by that office. This shall be documented in the Incident Report. 6. The report forms prepared by the LEO shall specify “Domestic Violence” or “Dating Violence.” 7. A report should include, but need not be limited to, the following: a. Information provided by PSCT/PSDs after considering the evidentiary value of the 9-1-1 call. b. Descriptive information regarding the victim and suspect, including the demeanor of each. c. Any statements of the victim, suspect, and/or witnesses that may be categorized as exceptions to the hearsay rule, including excited utterances and spontaneous statements. d. Any relevant statements, including self-serving ones, made by the suspect. e. When recording in writing, note the exact words used, using quotation marks, indicate the approximate timeframe in which the statements were made, and record the emotional condition of the speaker. f. A list of witnesses and their statements, including excited utterances and their approximate timeframe, and the identities of all LEOs on the scene. g. The description and location of observed injuries, the description of medical treatment rendered, and any statements about whether an offer of medical treatment was refused. Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 4 of 15 h. The name of the medical treatment provider and the names of any other health care provider, including Emergency Medical Service personnel. i. A description of all other physical evidence, including photographs taken and the subject of the photographs. j. A description of the steps taken to locate a suspect if he/she was not at the scene. k. A list of past behaviors, such as threats made, history of violence, killing of pets, use of substances, and other unusual behavior. l. Any evidence that the suspect tried to prevent the victim from reporting the crime; e.g., taking the telephone away, pulling telephone from the wall, etc. m. Information regarding if children were present and how they were cared for, with names, dates of birth, and schools listed. n. Information regarding if an injunction is in effect and, if it is, reference to this order and a copy if possible. o. A statement regarding any special needs, including language barriers and disabilities of the parties involved. p. An indication that the victim received the Rights and Remedies pamphlet. q. If no probable cause existed to make an arrest, a notation that the LEO informed the complainant the reasons why no arrest was made and that he/she can contact the Office of the State Attorney to have the case reviewed by that office. r. The name and telephone number of a person who can contact the victim; e.g., family member or employer. 8. The LEO should, when appropriate, request that the victim sign a release of medical records form related to any domestic/dating violence and sign the victim notification form. 9. In accordance with FSS 741.29(2), a copy of the report shall be sent free of charge to the nearest certified domestic violence center within 24 hours of being received by the records section custodian. 10. The victim’s name and contact information should not be redacted out of forms going to the local certified domestic violence center, except in cases involving sexual battery, child abuse, a lewd or lascivious act, or indecent assault on or in the presence of a child. Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 5 of 15 D. ARRESTS: 15.09 1. Arrest is the preferred response to domestic/dating violence when probable cause exists. When probable cause has been established that an act of domestic/dating violence has occurred, an arrest shall be made pursuant to Florida State Statutes, Chapter 901. 2. When determining probable cause, LEOs should consider their observations and any statements by parties involved, as well as by any witnesses, including children. 3. LEOs should proactively determine all the crimes for which there is probable cause, including sexual battery, assault or battery on a pregnant female, etc. 4. Factors that should NOT be considered in determining whether an arrest will be made include the following: a. Marital status b. Sexual orientation c. Race d. Religion e. Profession f. Age g. Disability h. Culture i. Social or political position j. Socioeconomic status of either party k. Ownership or tenancy rights of either party, or the fact the incident occurred in a private place l. Victim’s request that an arrest not be made m. Belief that the victim will not cooperate with criminal prosecution or that the arrest may not lead to a conviction n. Verbal assurances that the violence will stop o. The fact that the suspect has left the scene p. Disposition of previous police calls involving the same victim or suspect Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 6 of 15 q. Denial by either party that the violence occurred when there is evidence of violence r. Lack of a court order restraining or restricting the suspect s. Concern about reprisals against the victim t. Adverse financial consequences that might result from the arrest u. Chemical dependency or intoxication of the parties v. Assumptions as to the tolerance of violence by cultural, ethnic, religious, racial, or occupational groups w. Presence of children or the immediate dependency of children on the suspect. 5. The LEOs making the arrest shall inform the arrestee that domestic/dating violence is a crime and that the State of Florida, not the victim, is responsible for the prosecution. 6. The responding LEOs shall not discuss a complaint withdrawal or have the victim sign a Refusal to Prosecute form. 7. LEOs should not take parents or caregivers into custody in the presence of children in their custody unless it is necessary to do so. 8. If the LEOs determine that a crime has been committed and that the suspect has left the scene, the LEOs shall make every attempt to do the following: a. Conduct a search of the immediate area. b. Obtain information from the victim and witnesses as to where the suspect might be located and check those places. c. Prepare a probable cause affidavit and complete other appropriate paperwork for referral to the State Attorney’s Office in accordance with Department policy; e.g., routing to the Investigative Services Bureau for followup, if the offender cannot be located. d. Arrest the suspect if he/she is located at a later time or date. e. If no probable cause exists to make an arrest, the LEO shall inform the complainant the reasons why no arrest was made and that he/she can contact the Office of the State Attorney to have the case reviewed by that office. This shall be documented in the Incident Report. 9. Parental Rights: Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 7 of 15 a. Florida law recognizes a parent’s right to discipline his/her minor child through a non-consensual touching within acceptable limits and pre-empts the State from charging and prosecuting parents for battery. b. Under Florida law, when a parent or someone with the authority to discipline a child strikes his/her minor child, the striking of the child must rise, at a minimum, to the level of “child abuse” or “aggravated child abuse,” as provided in Florida State Statute 827.03 for it to constitute a crime. E. DUAL ARRESTS: 15.09 1. The Department shall discourage dual arrests to avoid arresting the victim. 2. Where there are allegations that each party assaulted the other, the LEO shall determine if there is sufficient evidence to conclude that one of the parties is the primary aggressor based on the criterion that is set forth above. 3. If the primary aggressor alleges that he/she is also a victim of domestic/dating violence, it is imperative that the LEO thoroughly investigates the allegation to determine if it was an act of self-defense or an act of aggression. 4. If the LEO concludes that it was an act of self-defense, he/she shall not make an arrest. 5. If dual arrests are made, the facts supporting each arrest must be clearly documented. F. VICTIM SUPPORT: 1. The LEO shall attempt to identify and use resources to assist in his/her interactions with non-English speaking citizens; e.g., victims, witnesses, suspects, or citizens with communication disabilities. 15.09 2. The LEO should avoid the use of friends, family, or neighbors serving as the primary interpreter for the investigation. 3. The LEO shall attempt to gain the victim’s trust and confidence by showing understanding, patience, and respect for personal dignity, and using language appropriate to the age, educational level, and emotional condition of the victim. 4. In accordance with Florida State Statutes, Chapter 741 and 784, the LEO must do the following: 15.09 a. Assist the victim in obtaining any needed medical treatment. b. Inform the victim of the availability of a certified domestic violence center and the Department’s victim advocate. Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 8 of 15 i. Give the victim a copy of the Legal Rights and Remedies Notice to Victims brochure. 5. LEOs should also do the following: a. Convey to the victim concern for his/her safety. b. Inform the victim about how to get an injunction. c. Advise the victim that the incident report will be sent to the local domestic violence center. d. Advise the victim of what to expect regarding the processing of the case by the system, including that the accused may be in custody for only a short period. e. jail. Ask the victim if he/she wants to be notified of the suspect’s release from f. Inform the victim that he/she can call the jail to obtain the status of the suspect. g. Inform the victim that domestic/dating violence is a crime and that the sole responsibility for decisions regarding whether charges are to be filed rests with the State and not the victim. h. If an arrest is not made, inform the victim of the reasons and of his/her options as indicated in the “Rights and Remedies” pamphlet. i. Advise the victim that he/she may sign the confidentiality provision of the “Victim Notification” form to keep his/her address and telephone number confidential. j. Advise the victim to notify the Department of any additional incidents or new information. k. The LEO should not leave the scene of the incident until the situation is under control and the likelihood of further violence has been eliminated. l. If the victim is leaving, the LEO should remain at the scene for a reasonable time while the victim gathers necessities for a short-term absence from home. m. The LEO should ask a victim who is leaving the home for his/her temporary address and telephone number out of hearing of the perpetrator. n. If the victim is staying at the residence and there is a threat of future violence, arrangements should be made for extra patrol. Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 9 of 15 o. The LEO should offer assistance in calling the shelter for information. 15.09 p. If the victim requests to go to a shelter, he/she shall be referred to a certified domestic violence shelter. 15.09 q. The LEO shall arrange for or provide transportation to the certified shelter if the victim is approved for shelter intake or arrange for or provide transportation for the victim to an alternative location of the victim’s choice in the local area. 15.09 G. VICTIM ADVOCATE: 15.09 1. The Department’s victim advocate will receive copies of appropriate domestic/dating violence incident reports to provide social services assistance. 2. The Department’s victim advocate is assigned to the Investigative Services Bureau and will receive reports and assignments from the supervisor in charge of Crimes Against Persons unit. 3. The Department’s victim advocate shall act as a liaison with the victim, LEOs, and important social services referrals, and shall provide the following services: a. Crisis intervention b. Safety planning c. Victim advocacy d. Domestic/dating violence information e. Death notification f. Victim compensation information g. Victim rights information h. Case information i. Support services 4. The Department’s victim advocate shall assist with community presentations and attend all area meetings relevant to domestic/dating violence/victim assistance. H. CARE OF CHILDREN: 15.09 1. LEOs shall see to the appropriate care of children when they are victims or dependents. Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 10 of 15 2. If the child was abused, neglected or witnessed the violence, the LEO shall call the Abuse Registry at 1-800-96-ABUSE (2-2873). 3. If, as a result of arrests and/or hospitalizations, there is no parent, legal guardian, or relative to either care for the children or direct the LEO as to the appropriate temporary placement of the children, the LEO should contact the Abuse Registry at the number above for purposes of determining placement. 4. The LEO shall indicate in the report the identity and address of the person taking custody of the children. I. CARE OF DEPENDENT ADULTS: 15.09 1. When an elderly or disabled adult, who is dependent on the suspect to provide for his/her care, is a victim of violence or abuse, the LEO shall call the Abuse Registry at 1-800-96-ABUSE (2-2873). 2. If indicators for future violence exist, the LEO should speak to appropriate Department authorities to arrange for increased patrol in the area. J. FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION, REFERRAL, AND SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT WRITING: 15.09 1. When further investigation is necessary the following may be required: a. Interview victims who were physically or emotionally unable to be properly interviewed or to provide a statement. b. Take photographs of victim injuries that may not have been apparent or visible at the time of the initial response. c. In the supplemental follow-up report, the investigating LEO shall document the steps of the investigation, including interviews and any other tasks performed pertinent to the investigation. d. In cases in which a physical arrest was not made, the related police report and charging documents required by the State Attorney’s Office should be forwarded on completion of the investigation to the State Attorney’s Office for review. e. If a warrant is issued, the appropriate agency should attempt to affect an arrest as soon as possible. f. The Department should ensure that a copy of the original report has been forwarded to the certified domestic violence center as required by law. Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 11 of 15 K. RESTRAINING AND PROTECTIVE ORDERS: 1. This section applies to both temporary and final domestic/dating violence injunctions, as well as repeat violence injunctions that result from a domestic/dating violence situation. 2. On determination of probable cause, an LEO may make a physical arrest of the respondent if he/she willfully and knowingly violates any of the terms of the injunction, including temporary, final injunctions, as well as repeat violence injunctions. 3. An LEO shall make an arrest for a criminal violation of the terms of an injunction, pursuant to Florida State Statutes, Chapter 741 (domestic violence injunction), or Chapter 784 (repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating violence injunctions). 4. LEOs may not arrest persons for civil violations of court orders. Examples of civil violations include child custody issues, failure to comply with financial obligations, failure to attend the Batterers’ Intervention Program, and failure to act, such as returning the victim’s property, etc. 5. After proper service of an injunction on a respondent, the injunction is valid and enforceable in all counties of the State of Florida. 6. It is important to verify that a respondent has been served properly with the injunction before arresting him/her for violating it. L. PRE-TRIAL RELEASE: 1. In accordance with FSS 741.29 a person who willfully violates a condition of pretrial release when the original arrest was for an act of domestic/dating violence commits a misdemeanor of the first degree. 2. In accordance with FSS 903.047 an order of no contact is effective immediately and enforceable for the duration of the pretrial release or until it is modified by the court. The defendant shall receive a copy of the order of no contact which specifies the applicable prohibited acts before the defendant is released from custody on pretrial release. As used in this section, unless otherwise specified by the court, the term “no contact” includes the following prohibited acts: a. Communicating orally or in any written form, either in person, telephonically, electronically, or in any other manner, either directly or indirectly through a third person, with the victim or any other person named in the order. If the victim and the defendant have children in common, at the request of the defendant, the court may designate an appropriate third person to contact the victim for the sole purpose of facilitating the defendant’s contact with the children. However, this subparagraph does not prohibit an attorney for the defendant, consistent with rules regulating The Florida Bar, from communicating with any person protected by the no contact order for lawful purposes. Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 12 of 15 b. Having physical or violent contact with the victim or other named person or his or her property. c. Being within 500 feet of the victim’s or other named person’s residence, even if the defendant and the victim or other named person share the residence. d. Being within 500 feet of the victim’s or other named person’s vehicle, place of employment or a specified place frequented regularly by such person. M. OUT OF STATE PROTECTIVE ORDERS: 1. FSS 741.51 provides that law enforcement officers shall enforce foreign orders of protection as if they were entered by a court of this state. Upon presentation of a foreign protection order by a protected person, a law enforcement officer shall assist in enforcement of all of its terms, pursuant to federal law, except matters related to child custody, visitation, and support. As to those provisions only, enforcement may be obtained upon domestication of the foreign order pursuant to FSS 55.501-55.509 unless the foreign order is a “pickup order” or “order of bodily attachment” requiring the immediate return of a child. 2. Before enforcing a foreign protection order, a law enforcement officer shall confirm the identity of the parties present and review the order to determine that, on its face, it has not expired. Presentation of a certified or true copy of the protection order shall not be required as a condition of enforcement, provided that a conflicting certified copy is not presented by the respondent or the individual against whom enforcement is sought. 3. LEOs should use reasonable efforts to verify that the respondent was served. Service may be verified: a. By petitioner: Petitioner may state under oath that to the best of petitioner's knowledge, respondent was served with the order of protection because petitioner was present at time of service; respondent told petitioner he or she was served; another named person told petitioner respondent was served; or respondent told petitioner he or she knows of the content of the order and date of the return hearing. b. By respondent: Respondent states under oath that he or she was or was not served with the order. N. LEO/CIVILIAN INVOLVED IN A DOMESTIC/DATING VIOLENCE CASE:15.09 1. When responding to the call, the LEO shall do the following: a. If Communications employees receive a call for assistance at a scene where an employee is involved in a domestic/dating violence incident, he/she shall notify a supervisor as soon as possible. Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 13 of 15 b. The supervisor shall follow the notification procedures in accordance with Departmental Standards Directive 11.100 Organization and Administration that addresses procedures for employees who are alleged perpetrators of crime. c. Responding LEOs shall ensure that a supervisor has been notified and otherwise handle the situation on scene in a manner consistent with the policies used in all domestic/dating violence cases. 2. If an arrest is made or an investigation is ongoing, applicable Department policies shall be followed. 3. When an employee is served with any protective injunction, he/she is required to notify a supervisor before the beginning of his/her next tour of duty. 4. The employee is also required to keep his/her supervisor informed of the status of his/her case. 5. The employee’s status shall be taken into consideration before approving any offduty assignments. 6. Department policy regarding an LEO’s possession of weapons, while under a final order of injunction or following his/her conviction for domestic/dating violence, will be evaluated on the set of circumstances surrounding the case. 7. Any employee, who witnesses or otherwise has firsthand or well-founded knowledge of a domestic/dating violence incident involving another employee in the Department, shall report the incident to a supervisor. 8. An LEO, who makes a domestic/dating violence related arrest of an LEO from another agency, shall notify his/her supervisor. The watch commander shall notify the employing agency of the arrest, the specific charge, and the time of arrest prior to the end of his/her tour of duty. 9. If an employee is arrested for a domestic/dating violence incident, he/she must notify his/her superior before the beginning of the next shift, or as soon as possible thereafter. O. TRAINING: 1. All employees designated to handle domestic/dating violence investigations shall receive competency-based training in domestic/dating violence. 2. All employees designated to handle domestic/dating violence investigations shall be competent with regard to the following: a. Use and application of current Florida and federal statutes as they relate to domestic/dating violence b. Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Dynamics of domestic/dating violence Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 14 of 15 c. Verification, enforcement and service of injunctions d. Duties and responsibilities of law enforcement in response to domestic/dating violence calls, as set forth in Department policy e. Assisting victim populations with special needs f. Techniques for handling incidents of domestic/dating violence that minimize the likelihood of injury to the LEO and that promote safety of involved parties g. Nature and extent of domestic/dating violence h. Legal rights of and remedies available to victims of domestic/dating violence i. Documentation, report writing, and evidence collection, including recognition and recording of excited utterances and taking photographs j. Tenancy issues as they relate to domestic/dating violence k. Impact of law enforcement intervention in preventing future violence l. Special needs of children at the scene of domestic/dating violence and the subsequent impact on their lives m. Policies and procedures of the local State Attorney’s Office n. Services, facilities and/or interventions available to victims o. Emergency assistance to victims and assistance to victims in pursuing criminal justice options p. Working with reluctant victims q. Department and LEO liability issues r. Indicators of abuser lethality s. Indicators of future violence t. Identifying a primary aggressor Approved: Michele Miuccio Interim Chief of Police Effective: October 14, 1994 Revised: January 2, 2020 Date: Domestic and Dating Violence SOP No. 05.02 Page 15 of 15