Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
311 Delano PD Policy Manual
Domestic Violence
311.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide the guidelines necessary to deter, prevent and reduce
domestic violence through vigorous enforcement and to address domestic violence as a serious
crime against society. The policy specifically addresses the commitment of this department to take
enforcement action when appropriate, to provide assistance to victims and to guide officers in the
investigation of domestic violence.
311.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Court order - All forms of orders related to domestic violence that have been issued by a court
of this state or another, whether civil or criminal, regardless of whether service has been made.
311.2 POLICY
The Delano Police Department’s response to incidents of domestic violence and violations of
related court orders shall stress enforcement of the law to protect the victim and shall communicate
the philosophy that domestic violence is criminal behavior. It is also the policy of this department
to facilitate victims’ and offenders’ access to appropriate civil remedies and community resources
whenever feasible.
311.3 OFFICER SAFETY
The investigation of domestic violence cases often places officers in emotionally charged and
sometimes highly dangerous environments. No provision of this policy is intended to supersede
the responsibility of all officers to exercise due caution and reasonable care in providing for the
safety of any officers and parties involved.
311.4 INVESTIGATIONS
The following guidelines should be followed by officers when investigating domestic violence
cases:
(a) Calls of reported, threatened, imminent or ongoing domestic violence and the violation
of any court order are of extreme importance and should be considered among the
highest response priorities. This includes incomplete 9-1-1 calls.
(b) When practicable, officers should obtain and document statements from the victim, the
suspect and any witnesses, including children, in or around the household or location
of occurrence.
(c) Officers should list the full name and date of birth (and school if available) of each
child who was present in the household at the time of the offense. The names of other
children who may not have been in the house at that particular time should also be
obtained for follow-up.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Domestic Violence - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department