Officer-involved Domestic Violence Policy


Police department OIDV policies and procedures are often a double-edged sword. While they intend to protect victims, they can actually make victims more vulnerable.

Articles and Reports

Developing Policy on Officer-Involved Domestic Violence
Wetendorf and Davis find that solutions good from the department's perspective can make things worse for the victim; and solutions better for the victim can leave the department open to liability. (Buy now)
PDF icon Lessons Learned from Tacoma: The Problem of Police Officer Domestic Violence (Kim Lonsway Ph.D., Diane Wetendorf, Pete Conis Ph.D.)
It often takes a tragic wake-up call such as the murder-suicide by the Tacoma police chief to create real change. The authors review how police agencies can proactively address officer-involved domestic abuse. (Published in Law Enforcement Executive Forum: 2003 (3) 5; pp.27-36.)
PDF icon Policies on Police Officer Domestic Violence: Prevalence and Specific Provisions Within Large Police Agencies (Kim Lonsway Ph.D.)
A national sample of large police agencies found few had a specific policy for officer-involved domestic violence. The policies varied widely in scope, focus, and specific provisions.
PDF icon Responding to Police Officer Domestic Violence: The IACP Model Policy (Kim Lonsway Ph.D. & Chief Penny Harrington)
The authors describe the 1996 legislation (Lautenberg Amendment) that dictated the response of police departments to officer-involved domestic violence. They then review the model policy released by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
PDF icon IACP Policy on Domestic Violence by Police Officers
The model policy established by the International Association of Chiefs of Police
PDF icon Discussion Paper on IACP's Policy on Domestic Violence by Police Officers
This paper in support of the IACP model policy addresses policy philosophy, development and implementation requirements
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