investigating domestic violence pete helein chief of police appleton police department “best...

Investigating Domestic Violence Pete Helein Chief of Police Appleton Police Department Best Practices Oshkosh - May 23, 2013

Engaging Stakeholders How Do You Engage? How Might You Benefit? How Do You Encourage Victims To Report? Lunch Exercise

Objectives Understanding The Victim Review Mandatory Arrest Standards Determining The Primary Aggressor Physical, Sexual And Emotional Violence Connecting With Children Building Your Case

This Presentation Does Not Constitute Legal Advice. Youre Encouraged To Consult Your Local Prosecutor If You Have Questions That Require A Legal Opinion.

The First Step In Solving A Problem Is Understanding It

Law enforcement officers are key to: prioritizing communicating and reinforcing the commitment to end domestic violence.

Share Your Vision, Communicate Your Expectations, and Lead By Example

Develop A Community Agenda To Prevent Domestic Violence Homicides

Encourage your community to recognize sexual, physical, and emotional violence as a community problem, not exclusively a police problem.

Frustrations and Challenges

Quick Fixes and Magical Solutions

Do What You Do Best

Best Practices Positive Relationships Clear Communication Shared Expectations Training

Best Practices Citizens - reporting violence Advocates - supporting victims Police - gathering evidence Prosecutors - holding abusers accountable Probation and Parole holding abusers accountable

Mandatory Arrest A law enforcement officer shall arrest and take a person into custody if the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person is committing, or has committed domestic abuse and that the person's actions constitute the commission of a crime; and any of the following apply: 968.075(2), Wis. Stats.

Intentionally inflicted physical pain, injury or illness Intentionally impaired the victims physical condition Constitute 1 st, 2 nd, or 3 rd degree sexual assault Caused the victim to fear they are about to be physically harmed or assaulted

Does the Officer Reasonably believe there is a likelihood of continued abuse (Bodily harm, sexual assault, impairment or threat of harm assault) against the victim Have evidence of physical injury to the victim

Consent An officer's decision as to whether or not to arrest may not be based upon the consent of the victim to any subsequent prosecution or on the relationship of the parties. 968.075(3)(c), Wis. Stats.

Visible Injury An officer's decision not to arrest may not be based solely upon the absence of visible indications of injury or impairment. 968.075(3)(d), Wis. Stats.

Determining The Predominant Aggressor

Predominant Aggressor When an officer has reasonable grounds to believe that adult spouses, former spouses, or other adult persons that reside or have resided together or have a child in common, are committing or have committed domestic abuse against each other, the officer does not have to arrest both persons, but should arrest the person whom the officer believes to be the Predominant Aggressor. 968.075(2)(am), Wis. Stats.

Self-Defense A person is privileged to threaten or intentionally use force against another for the purpose of preventing or terminating what the person believes to be an unlawful interference with his or her person.

ELEMENTS OF SELF-DEFENSE Person using force had a reasonable belief that s/he was at risk of bodily harm. Risk of harm was actual or imminent. The force used was that force reasonably necessary to prevent or stop the infliction of bodily harm.

Use of Force Continuum

Defensive Actions

Dual Arrest The custodial arrest and confinement of two or more people for committing domestic abuse crimes

Offenders often use cross complaints to punish victims

Consequences of Inappropriate Dual Arrests Lessens ability to prosecute Victims are further victimized Decreases chances victim will seek further help Increases liability Abusers gain power and control

Dual Arrests should be limited to those incidents when an officer determines that both parties were mutual combatants, equally involved in the commission of a crime against another person, and neither person was acting in self-defense.

The Predominant Aggressor is not necessarily the first person who strikes another person

The Predominant Aggressor refers to the person who the investigating officer determines has engaged in criminal behavior and was not acting in a manner consistent with self-defense

Determining the Predominant Aggressor, Consider : The intent of the law to protect victims of domestic violence The relative degree of injury or fear inflicted on the persons involved Any history of domestic abuse between the persons, if that history can be reasonably ascertained by the officer

Officers Should Also Consider Level of violence Injuries sustained from actions consistent with self-defense include bite marks on the chest, biceps or forearms and scratches on the face, chest, or neck An individuals ability to defend themselves Past or present signs of fear Use of Power and Control Tactics Criminal history of involved parties Past or present Restraining Orders

Frustrations With The Victim

What Is The Most Significant Challenge? Victimstoo afraid to testify because the suspect has threatened to kill them and/or their children.

POWER AND CONTROL

Stalking

Strangulation Intentional Act Over A Sustained Period Of Time

Seek To Understand Before You Wish To Be Understood

BARRIERS TO LEAVING Relentless behavior of batterer Fear of what the batterer might do Fear for children Financial dependence Isolation/lack of support

Help victims help themselves What you tell them will make a difference

A Victims Consent and Cooperation Are The Gateway To A Thorough Investigation

Im afraid for your safety Im afraid for the safety of your children It will only get worse Im here for you. You dont deserve to be abused. (Sarah Buel) Gathering Evidence 5 Things To Tell A Victim

Preserving The Evidence Safety Plans Shelters Protection Orders Bail Conditions Seizing Firearms and Ammunition Compassion

Evaluating Injuries

Defensive Injuries Injuries sustained when a person is trying to defend herself or himself Wounds can be either on the victim or the offender Victim admits violence Suspect blames victim

Defensive Actions

Defensive Injuries Scratches on the face Bites to the hands/chest Injuries to the back, buttocks, or back of legs Scratches to forearm Kicking injuries Other?

Female victim defended herself from being hit/strangled by scratching the suspect

Offensive Injuries Injuries sustained when attacked Wounds can be on victim or offender Examples: broken nose, stab wounds, black eye, and gun shot wound Example of offensive wound on offender includes gashed knuckles Other?

THE GOLDEN HOUR Investigating Violence, Threats, and Fears

Are You Asking The Right Questions To Gather The Right Evidence? Prosecutors Expectations

Arrest and Confinement OR Arrest and Conviction Law Enforcements Expectations?

Arrest And Confinement Gather Enough Evidence to Establish Probable Cause (Minimal Expectations)

Arrest And Conviction Gather Enough Evidence to Prove Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Documenting The Violence Collecting The Evidence Necessary To Convince The Jury

Investigative Guides

Documenting Terror Collecting The Evidence Necessary To Convince The Jury

Four Questions

What Questions Do Your Dispatchers Ask? Law Enforcement

What Does Your Prosecutor Need To Charge and Convict? Law Enforcement

What Does Probation and Parole Need to Confine and Revoke? Law Enforcement

How Can Advocates Help You Help The Victim Survive? Law Enforcement

Why Should You Care? Because it may save your life or the life of a fellow officer

Homicide Prevention Firearm Seizures =

The information available in a 911 call may save your life and make your case

Dispatchers Are The first one on scene. Able to gather facts and disseminate critical information. Recording the 911 call that may be critical to the outcome of the incident and the disposition of the case. Able to set the tone for the caller and the responding officers

Nature Of The Call What is happening or just happened? Is medical attention needed? What are the names of involved? Who is injured and how were they injured? What is the current level of danger? Was a weapon used or did anyone threaten to use a weapon? Are there children present?

If it isnt in your report, it didnt happen

Gather Digital Evidence Squad Video and Audio Personal Video/Audio Recorders Social Media (Phones, Facebook, And Texting)

Digital Stalking

GPS Tracking

Calls From The Jail

Evidence Collection 911 Call = threats, admissions, weapons, and background noise History of Violence Observations (Before and After Entry) Victim Statement Suspect Statement Witnesses (Neighbors and children) Photos Predominant Aggressor Risk Assessment

Evidence Collection Medical Records Protection Orders Stalking Assessment GPS Cyber Stalking Spyware Texting Emailing Facebook Twitter (Continued)

Documenting the Crime Scene Actual location and adjacent areas: Overturned furniture Broken items Damage to walls, doors, windows Signs of forced entry Damage to telephones Bloodstains

Documenting Damaged Clothing On the victim or offender Ripped or torn Bloodstained Punctured

Types of Wounds On the victim and offender Typical assault wounds Defensive wounds Offensive wounds Multiple wounds over time

Documenting Weapons Firearms, knives, household objects, anything used to threaten or harm the victim: Fired Pointed Thrown Stabbed Struck

Interview victim in separate room Consider body language, tone of voice, eye contact Ask open-ended questions Be nonjudgmental Respect cultural differences Ask about threats, history of violence, strangulation and stalking Interviewing The Victim

Interviewing the Victim Begin the interview with you statements and questions. How are you feeling? Im sorry this happened to you. May I call you by your first name? Where would you like to do this interview? Asking non-invasive questions at first and showing concern for the victims well-being may help the victim to relax and may aid in enabling the investigator to build rapport with the victim.

Interviewing the Victim While the investigation is routine for the officer, it can be traumatic, degrading, and life changing event for the victim. The officer sets the tone for the investigation: The victim will assess body language, demeanor and verbal language.

Interviewing the Victim Interview the victim in a room that is separate from where the suspect is interviewed. Victims may not speak freely if the abuser is present. The abusers presence can intimidate and silence the victim.

Interviewing the Victim Be honest. If the victim provides information that will have to be revealed in court (i.e., child abuse, assaults), tell her in advance. Listen to the victims story before asking questions.

Interviewing the Victim Let the victim know that you are concerned for her safety. Your tone of voice, eye contact and the words you use will convey this message.

Interviewing the Victim Be nonjudgmental when questioning victims. Ask specific questions about the crime scene and the abuser. Be careful not to blame, accuse or be disbelieving. Acknowledge the victims fear, anxiety, anger or ambivalence about what has occurred. Validate her feelings.

Interviewing the Victim Ask open-ended question like, And then what happened? or Tell me more about that. Listen carefully and take accurate notes for inclusion in the report. If something is unclear, ask specific questions to clarify details.

Interviewing the Victim Keep the victim informed with we statements. We need to review some information together. We need to broadcast some information to try to find the suspect. Use of the word we provides the victim with the sense that this is a team effort, that she has a vital role to play and that she has some sense of control.

Interviewing the Victim Tell the victim what you need with I statements. I need you to remember as much of the details as possible. This will reassure the victim that her complaint is being taken seriously and will be handled professionally.

Interviewing the Victim Encourage the victim to ask for an explanation if a question is unclear or if a term is used that is not understood. Watch the victims body language and other non-verbal responses.

Interviewing the Victim When the victim is finished, ask if there is anything else she wants to add. Dont ask questions not directly related to the investigation (other than in the rapport building stage).

Connect With The Children

Impact on Children

IMPACT ON CHILDREN Children are often present when battering occurs. Children can be traumatized by witnessing the attacks or Children can get in the way of the attack and receive injuries.

IMPACT ON CHILDREN cont. High co-occurrence of domestic violence and child abuse (Abused by the batterer). Batterers use children as a way to maintain control over their victims.

CHILDREN LIVING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE May not exhibit outward cues of the violence they have witnessed. May never discuss the violence nor act-out behaviors that would alert others to the violence.

INTERVIEWING CHILDREN Get on the childs level!

INTERVIEWING CHILDREN Location Determine the childs education level Do not ask leading questions Body language (officer and child) Use childs language Time, distance, height, weight Never bribe, threaten or coer ce

INTERVIEWING CHILDREN Be aware of childs fear or signs of abuse Be aware of childs inclination to feel guilty and reassure they are not responsible Do not use children to interpret Do not make promises Closure

Remember Why Your Community Needs You?

Quick Fixes and Magical Solutions

Do What You Do Best

Thank You

Questions

investigating domestic violence pete helein chief of police appleton police department “best...

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