273659

Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/23, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Domestic Violence - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Domestic Violence 310.1 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 commitm ent of this Department to take enforcement action when appropriate, to provide assistance to victims and to guide officers in the investigation of domestic violence. 310.1.1 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. 310.2 POLICY The Santa Monica 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. 310.3 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. 310.4 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 a mong 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 particu lar time should also be obtained for follow -up. Policy 310 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Domestic Violence Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/23, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Domestic Violence - 2 (d) When practicable and legally permitted, video or audio record all significant statements and observations. (e) All injuries should be photographed, regardless of severity, taking care to preserve the victim’s personal privacy. Where practicable, photographs should be taken by a person of the same sex. Victims whose injuries are not visible at the time of the incident should be asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Division in the event that the injuries later become visible. (f) Officers should request that the victim complete and sign an authorization for release of medical records related to the incident when appl icable. (g) If the suspect is no longer at the scene, officers should make reasonable efforts to locate the suspect to further the investigation, provide the suspect with an opportunity to make a statement, and make an arrest or seek an arrest warrant if appro priate. (h) Seize any firearms or other dangerous weapons in the home, if appropriate and legally permitted, for safekeeping or as evidence. If the domestic violence involved threats of bodily harm, any firearm discovered in plain view or pursuant to consent or other lawful search must be taken into temporary custody (Penal Code § 18250). (i) When completing an incident or arrest report for violation of a court order, officers shou ld include specific information that establishes that the offender has been served, including the date the offender was served, the name of the agency that served the order, and the provision of the order that the subject is alleged to have violated. When reasonably available, the arresting officer should attach a copy of the order to the incident or arrest report. (j) Officers should take appropriate enforcement action when there is probable cause to believe an offense has occurred. Factors that should not be used as sole justification for declining to take enforcement action include: 1. The marital status of the victim and suspect. 2. Whether the suspect lives on the premises with the victim. 3. Claims by the suspect that the victim provoked or perpetuated the violence. 4. The potential financial or child custody consequences of arrest. 5. The physical or emotional state of either party. 6. Use of drugs or alcohol by either party. 7. Denial that the abuse occ urred where evidence indicates otherwise. 8. A request by the victim not to arrest the suspect. 9. Location of the incident (public/private). 10. Speculation that the complainant may not follow through with the prosecution. 11. Actual or perceived characteristics such a s race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual