Law Enforcement Officers and Domestic Violence

Law enforcement officers are a critical link in the survival of a victim of domestic violence.  This section of the Peoples Law Library provides information on the key laws and resources.  All law enforcement entities in Maryland also provide extensive training and guidelines on domestic violence.

What Action Should Police Officers Take? 

• Ensure the safety of all involved
• Seek medical attention, if necessary
• Safeguard the victim from further abuse
• Secure and protect the crime scene
• Seek voluntary surrender of firearms for safekeeping purposes
• Seize firearms subject to State, territorial, local, or tribal prohibitions
• Identify whether an order of protection has been violated
• Evaluate the validity and enforceability of the order
• Arrest for violation of the order where required by enforcing jurisdiction
• Arrest for any other criminal offenses
• Seek an arrest warrant, when required, related to the criminal conduct if the abuser is not at the scene
• Attempt to locate and arrest the abuser.

Making the Referral at the Scene

Address transportation and housing needs of victim by making appropriate referrals  to community services. In Maryland, there are local community resource centers listed by county and domestic violence hotlines:

• Maryland Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-MD-HELPS (634-3577)

• House of Ruth Domestic Violence Hotline 410-889-7884

• National Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Refer victim to issuing jurisdiction for enforcement of economic provisions within order of protection.

Refer victim to the appropriate advocacy agency to obtain assistance with the economic provisions of a support enforcement.  In Maryland, this is the Child Support Enforcement Agency.

• Threats of homicide/suicide
• History of domestic violence and other criminal conduct
• Stalking
• Depression or other mental illness
• Obsessive attachment to victim
• Separation of parties
• Drug or alcohol involvement
• Possession or access to weapons
• Abuse of pets
• Destruction of victim's property
• Access to victim and victim's family and other supporters
• Use of a weapon, threats to use a weapon
• Threats to kill self, partner, or children
• Recent unemployment
• Access to a gun
• A child in the home that does not biologically belong to the abuser
• Recent separation
• Spying on or controlling the victim
• "Choking" (strangling) the victim

   

*These factors can be helpful in many cases but are not guaranteed predictors of future violence.