Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIE W NEXT REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 01/01/20 20 06/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS406 - Call Taker Domestic Violence Procedures 1
SS40 6 CALL TAKER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROCEDURES
SS406 .1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure establishes guidelines for handling domestic violence calls.
SS406 .1.2 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This procedure pertains to the following CALEA Standards: N/A
This p rocedure pertains to the following General Orders: §802
SS406.2 DEFINITIONS
Abuse - means intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury, or
placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury.
Domestic Violence - is abuse committed against an adult or minor who is a spouse, form er
spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or a person with whom the suspect has had a child or is
having or previously had a dating or engagement relationship.
Cohabitant - means two unrelated adult persons living together for a substantial period of time ,
resulting in some permanence or relationship. Factors that may determine whether persons are
cohabiting include, but are not limited to:
a) Sexual relations between the parties while sharing the same living quarters ;
b) Sharing of income or expenses ;
c) Joint use or ownership of property ;
d) Whether the parties hold themselves out as husband and wife ;
e) The continuity of the relationship ;
f) The length of the relationship .
SS40 6.2 PROCEDURE
Per Section 13702 of the California Penal Code:
Calls reporting threatened , imminent or ongoing Domestic Violence, and the violation of any
protection order including orders issued pursuant to California Penal Code Section 136.2 and
restraining orders, should be ranked among the highest priority calls. Dispatchers are not
requi red to verify the validation of the protective order before responding to the request for
assistance. All calls for domestic violence should be dispatched as soon as practical.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIE W NEXT REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 01/01/20 20 06/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS406 - Call Taker Domestic Violence Procedures 2
SS406 .2.1 CALL TAKING (IN PROGRESS)
The following are guidelines for call takers on in -progress domestic violence incidents:
a) Location - Verify it is in our jurisdiction, if it is not, transfer the caller to the correct agency .
Ask if there is an apartment number, or a business name if occurring at a business
b) Who is involved? Husband vs. Wife? Boyfriend vs. Girlfriend? Mother vs. Son? (age of
son or daughters, adult/juvenile) ?
c) Verbal or physical? If physical: are there any injuries ? If yes, notify Orange County Fire
Authority and have them stage if necessary.
d) Enter the cal l for service as 415F ( Mother vs. Son, brother vs. sister ) or 415DV ( verbal
between husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend ) or 2735 if physical between husband/wife or
boyfriend/girlfriend) and continue to obtain information and update CAD.
e) Is the suspect stil l on scene? Obtain name, date of birth or approximate age and
description of the suspect.
f) Are there any weapons? If so, what kind, and even if they are not displayed during the
fight, where are they located?
g) Has anyone been drinking or doing an y drugs?
h) If the suspect leaves, does he/she have access to a vehicle? If so, obtain a vehicle
description , license plate, and direction of travel or possible destination.
i) Stay on the line with the caller until officers arrive on scene.
j) If the caller is not calling from inside the residence where the disturbance is taking place,
ask them what they are hearing, i.e. breaking glass, screaming?
SS40 6.2.2 CALL TAKING (NOT IN PROGRESS)
The following are guidelines for call takers on not -in-progress domestic violence incidents:
a) Ask the caller/victim where the incident occurred and if that is where they are calling
from now. If they are at another location now, obtain that as well so an officer can
contact them.
b) Does the caller/victim need med ical attention? If so, notify Orange County Fire Authority
to respond.
c) What is the time delay?
d) What is the relationship between the victim and suspect?
e) Where is the suspect now? Also obtain the suspects name, date of birth or approximate
age and descript ion. Did they leave in a vehicle or on foot? If in a vehicle, obtain a
vehicle description and direction of travel or possible destination.
f) Were there any weapons involved?
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIE W NEXT REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 01/01/20 20 06/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
SS406 - Call Taker Domestic Violence Procedures 3
406.3 DISPATCHING THE CALL
The following are guidelines for dispatchers on dom estic violence incidents: