Consider these Guidelines  

Review the police department's general domestic violence policy:

• Does the policy address police-involved domestic violence?
• What is the protocol for the officers who respond to police-involved calls?
• What is likely to be the impact on the officer's employment status if the victim signs a criminal complaint?
• What is likely to be the impact on the officer's employment status if the victim obtains an Order of Protection in civil court?
• What is likely to be the impact on the officer's employment status if the victim obtains an Order of Protection in criminal court?
• Are officers required to inform the department if they are named a respondent to an Order of Protection?

What are the risks involved when an officer who is a batterer, responds to a domestic violence call in the community?

What is the impact on the department's public relations when a police officer is a batterer?

• Determine what the department's investigative procedure entails.
• Establish a safe procedure for the victim to report incidents to the department; consider arranging an interview at a location other than the department, such as at the domestic violence agency.
• Who besides the victim will be interviewed as part of the investigation?
• Will the victim be kept informed as to the progress of the investigation?
• What types of information do and do not remain confidential?
• What are the safeguards that the investigating officers will refrain from discussing the case, within or outside the department?
• What will the department do to protect the victim during the investigation?
• What will the department do to protect the victim after the investigation?

• Using you as a liaison between the victim and the department.
• Working with you to develop a safety plan for the victim.
• Allowing you to provide advocacy for the victim.
• Having you provide referrals for services needed.
• Providing education for all officers on your state's Domestic Violence Act and on the issue of police-involved domestic violence.

Inform your community of the police department's policies and procedures on police involved domestic violence:

• Raise awareness of the complexity of the problem.
• Arrange community meetings to discuss your department's response.
• Inform the community of the services your agency offers.

Explore ways to inform officers' intimate partners about your services:

• Is the department willing to do a direct mailing to employee's homes?
• Use media, brochures and palm cards to get the word out.