Policy Text
Page 1 of 14 - General Order 6 -9 - (03/24 /23)
FAMILY VIOLENCE RESPONSE
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: INTIMATE PAR TNER AND F AMILY VIOLENCE
RESPONSE
Chapter
6 Number
9 # Pages
14
References:
CALEA Standards: 42.1.5 a-c, 42.2.1a, 42.2.1b, 42.2.1c,
42.2.1d, 55.2.3 ª
Va State Code: §3.2 -6500, §16.1-228, §16.1-253.4, §16.1 -
253.2, §16.1 -279.1 (F), §16.2 -253.1, §18.2 -51.6, §18.2 -57,
§18.2 -57.2, §18.2 -60.3, §18.2 -308.1:4, §19.2 -81.3(E),
§19.2 -152.8, §19.2 -152.9, §19.2 -152.10 , §308.1:4(A)
Related Orders: 1-1, 4-9, 6-
31, 7-2, 7-18, 7-23 Effective Date: 03/24/2023
Revised By: Review
Prv. Rev. Date: 12/27/2019
Chief of Police:
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to define domestic violence and related offenses, outline a safe
procedure for handling violent incidents and calls, prescribe measure s to end violence, and
protect victims.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This policy is due for triannual review . All new language will be bold and italicized
throughout the document.
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Departme nt to thoroughly investigate complaints of
intimate partner and/or family violence and to enforce all applicable laws. Officers shall
convey the attitude that violence in the home is criminal behavior and will not be tolerated.
The intent of the law and departmental procedures are to protect the health and safety of
intimate partners , family , and household members. With all due consideration for their own
safety, Department personnel responding to a family violence incident call shall: (1) restore
order; (2) arrest persons when probable cause exists that a crime has occurred ; (3) provide
safety and security for the crime victim(s); and, (4) help participants contact appropriate
agencies to help prevent future occurrences .
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
Page 2 of 14 - General Order 6 -9 - (03/24 /23)
FAMILY VIOLENCE RESPONSE All empl oyees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in this
general order. Responsibility rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any
violations of policy are investigated and appropriate training, counseling and/or dis ciplinary
action is initiated.
This directive is for internal use only, and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability in
any way. It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or ca re in
an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this directive, if proven,
can only form the basis of a complaint by this Department, and then only in a non -judicial
administrative setting.
V. DEFINITIONS
A. ABUSER – A person who perpetrates a pattern of coercive tactics w hich can include
physical, psychological, sexual, economic, and emotional abuse against another person,
with the goal of establishing and maintaining power and control over the victim.
B. ASSAULT – The threat or use of force on another that causes that person to have a
reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact; the act of putting
another person in reasonable fear or apprehension of an immediate battery by means of
an act amounting to an attempt or threat to commit a battery.
C. BATTERY – A physical act that results in harmful or offensive contact with another
person without that person's consent. See Code of Virginia §18.2 -57 Assault and
Battery, and 18.2 -57.2 Assault and Battery Agains t a Family or Household Member .
D. COHABITATION – The sh aring of familial or financial responsibilities and
consortium (may include mutual respect, fidelity, affection, society, cooperation,
solace, comfort, aid of each other, friendship, and conjugal relations).
NOTE: Although not defined in Virginia code, ca se law (including Rickman v.
Commonwealth , 33 Va. App. 550, 535 S.E.2d 187 (2000) ), shapes the definition of
cohabitation, and the courts have indicated that a ‘totality of the circumstances’
analysis must be employed.
E. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/AB USE – Domestic v iolence is a pattern of coercive
behavior characterized by the domination and control of one person over another,
usually an intimate partner, through physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, sexual,
and/or economic abuse. Domestic violence is often c alled “domestic abuse” because it
does not necessarily involve physical violence, and some of the tactics may not even be
considered a crime.
F. FAMILY ABUSE – Any act of violence, force or threat , including but