NCJ Number
131159
Date Published
1990
Length
21 pages
Annotation
Over the past 10 to 15 years, an increasing number of States have passed legislation related to several vital aspects of police response to domestic violence; the particular emphasis in this report is on legislation in California.
Abstract
Nationwide, new laws have strengthened law enforcement powers and obligations in the areas of reporting, training, and arrest. California Senate Bill 1472, passed in 1984, mandates effective and consistent law enforcement response to incidents of domestic violence. This bill requires all police and sheriff's departments to develop and implement written policies for officer response to calls and to maintain a record of valid restraining and stay-away orders. The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) was mandated to develop new statewide response guidelines, training objectives, and courses which instruct officers in enforcing criminal laws, protecting victims' safety, and informing victims of all criminal and civil remedies and community resources. Other legislation passed in California addresses various aspects of officer response, prosecution and sentencing, civil law reform, victim assistance and shelter, and domestic violence prevention.