Policy Text
Ventura County
Domestic Violence
Law Enforcement
Protocol
August 2017
This protocol provides recommended “best practices”
for the investigation of domestic violence cases.
Officers responding to domestic violence calls often
confront volatile and dynamic circumstances that pose
risks to their own safety. As always, officer safety and
department policies should be a priority for peace
officers.
Table of Contents
Protocol Policy Statement ............................................................................................... 2
Section 1 – Important Definitions .................................................................................... 4
Section 2 – 911 Operator/Dispatcher Response ............................................................. 6
Section 3 – First Responder Duties ................................................................................ 8
Section 4 – Follow -Up Investigation .............................................................................. 18
Section 5 – Domestic Violence Sexual Assaults ........................................................... 20
Section 6 – Victims’ Rights ............................................................................................ 24
Section 7 – Stalking ....................................................................................................... 25
Section 8 – Children Exposed to Domestic Violence ..................................................... 26
Section 9 – Court Orders ............................................................................................... 31
Section 10 – Law Enforcement Officer or Military Involved in Domestic Violence
Procedures ............................................................................................... 37
Section 11 – Courtesy Reports ...................................................................................... 39
Section 12 – Domestic Violence Gun Seizures ............................................................. 40
Section 13 – Victim Assistance ..................................................................................... 43
Addendum A – Risk Factor Awareness ........................................................................... a
Addendum B – Strangulation ........................................................................................... c
Addendum C – Common Charges ................................................................................... g
Addendum D – Safe Harbor Multidisciplinary Centers ...................................................... i
Addendum E – Domestic Violence Resources ................................................................. j
Addendum F – Protective Orders .................................................................................... k
Addendum G – Military Contacts and Resources ............................................................. l
2 Protocol Policy Statement
• The California State Legislature has declared that:
(1) “[S]pousal abusers present a clear and present danger to the mental and
physical well -being of the citizens of the State of California .” (Pen. Code ,
§ 273.8)
(2) “A substantial body of research demonstrates a strong connection between
domestic violence and child abuse .” (Pen. Code , § 13732(a) )
• All law enforcement agencies shall respond to acts of domestic violence as a
crime.
• Victims of domestic violence sha ll be treated with respect and dignity and sha ll
be given appropriate assistance by law enforcement personnel responding to an incident of domestic violence, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender,
gender conformity, age, or immigration status.
• The decision to prosecute a batterer lies within the discretion of the District
Attorney ’s office . Victims do not “press charges,” “drop charges,” or “prosecute”
their batterers.
• Written policies sh all be developed, which should encourage the arrest of
domestic violence offenders if there is probable cause to believe that an offense has been committed .
• Written policie s shall require the arrest of an offender, absent exigent
circumstances, if there is probable cause that a protective order1 has been
violated .
• When possible and legally reasonable, law enforcement should remove firearms
from the scene of domestic violence incidents.
• When reasonably possible, prosecutors should notify the court if domestic
violence defendants own or possess registered firearms.
• When reasonably possible, law enforcement should seek a gun violence
restraining order if a person is determined to be a present danger to him/herself or
1 Includes Emergency Protective Orders, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Family Law Restraining
Orders, and Criminal Protective Orders.
3 another person, by controlling, owning, purchasing, possessing, receiving or
otherwise having custody of a firearm.
• Children exposed to domestic violence should be considered separate ly as victims
in domestic violence incidents.
• Ongoing t raining will be provided to enhance law enforcement’s response to
domestic violence and children exposed to domestic violence.
• Domestic violence is complex. V ictims should be empowered to make their own
decis ions about what they do immediately following a domestic violence incident .
4 Section 1 - Important Definitions
ABUSE : Intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury, or
placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to
himself, herself, or another . (Pen. Code , §13700(a) )
ASPHYXIA : A condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing
unconsciousness and ultimately death. In general, asphyxia due to suffocation requires at least partial obstruction of both nostrils and mouth.
COHABITANT : Two unrelated adult s living tog ether for a substantial period of time
resulting in some permanency of relationship. Factors t o be considered, include:
(1) sexual relations between the parties while sharing the same living
quarters,
(2) sharing of income or expenses,
(3) joint use or ownership of property,
(4) whether the parties hold themselves out as spouses ,
(5) the continuity of the relationship, and
(6) the length of the relationship. ( Pen. Code , § 13700(b))
CHOKING : The accidental physical, internal obstruction of the windpipe resulting in a
blockage that prevents the normal flow of air/normal breathing (e.g. food) . Although
victims and witnesses may use the terms “ choke ” or “choking ” when describing an
incident, law enforcement s hould be aware of the important distinction between choking
and t he medical