High Risk Critical Task / Officer Involved Domestic Violence
It is the policy of this agency to effectively address domestic misconduct involving agency personnel, hold personnel responsible for any law or policy violations, and prioritize the safety of domestic violence victims. The goal of this agency is to ensure that domestic misconduct does not adversely affect agency personnel or operations.
Domestic misconduct includes crimes of violence (NRS 28-323), stalking (NRS 28-311.03), or protection order violations (NRS 28-311.09) against intimate partners. An intimate partner means a spouse; a former spouse; persons who have a child in common whether or not they have been married or lived together at any time; and persons who are or were involved in a dating relationship. A dating relationship means frequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by the expectation of affectional or sexual involvement but does not include a casual relationship or an ordinary association between persons in a business or social context. Misconduct refers to any physical assault or battery, vandalism, stalking, intimidation, coercion, or criminal act against a party within this form of domestic relationship.
The agency is committed to providing assistance to employees during these critical times so that employees may resolve potentially serious personal issues and return to being productive members of the agency before situations escalate.
It is imperative to the integrity of this agency that all reports of domestic violence committed by agency personnel or employees of other law enforcement agencies be investigated thoroughly and consistently in accordance with agency policy and the law. When probable cause exists that an employee of this agency or other law enforcement jurisdiction has committed a crime involving domestic misconduct, the employee shall be arrested and processed the same as any civilian.
Upon receiving a report of domestic violence involving an employee of this agency or any other law enforcement jurisdiction, a minimum of two deputies and a supervisor should be assigned to respond to the incident, staffing permitting. Responding deputies shall intervene in any active violence, detain all suspects, and ensure any needed medical care is provided.
If the officer involved is an employee of the responding agency, an outside agency should be requested to investigate any criminal allegations. Furthermore, the supervisor shall notify Internal Affairs (if applicable) or their chain of command at the earliest opportunity so an internal investigation can be initiated.
If the officer involved is from another jurisdiction, the responding deputy should request a domestic violence investigator respond to the scene if one is available. The assigned deputy or investigator shall conduct a thorough, documented investigation and take appropriate enforcement action in accordance with agency policy and NRS 29-439. The supervisor shall also establish a liaison with the agency at which the officer is employed.
Scenario: The wife of a deputy who works at your agency calls 911 and reports that her husband just assaulted her during an argument at their home.
Question: According to policy, what actions must be taken by the agency in response to this call?
Answer:
- Two uniformed deputies and a supervisor should respond to the scene.
- Responding deputies should ensure that all violence has stopped, all parties are safe, and any needed medical treatment is provided.
- The supervisor or deputies should request an outside agency respond to the scene to investigate the incident given the criminal nature of the allegation.
- The supervisor should notify Internal Affairs (if applicable) or their chain of command at the earliest opportunity.
When probable cause exists that an employee of this agency or other law enforcement jurisdiction has committed a crime involving domestic misconduct, the investigating officers shall take the appropriate enforcement action just as they would with any civilian.
