Law enforcement agencies response to alleged incidents of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault
When police get a call about domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or a broken protection order, they have to treat it just as seriously as any other crime. They cannot put those calls at the bottom of the list. Police also have to tell the victim about their options in court and where they can go for shelter. Police at the scene also have to give or arrange a ride for the victim to get medical help or go somewhere safe.
455.080. Law agencies response to alleged incidents of , , or — factors indicating need for immediate response — of crisis team — transportation of abused to medical treatment or shelter. — 1. Law enforcement agencies may establish procedures to ensure that dispatchers and officers at the scene of an alleged incident of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or violation of an can be informed of any prior incident of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault involving the abused party and can the effective dates and terms of any recorded order of protection.
2. The shall apply the same standard for response to an alleged incident of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or a violation of any order of protection as applied to any like involving strangers, except as otherwise provided by law. Law enforcement agencies shall not lower to calls involving alleged incidents of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or violation of protection s than is in responding to offenses involving strangers. Existence of any of the following factors shall be interpreted as indicating a need for immediate response:
(1) The caller indicates that violence is or in progress; or
(2) A protection order is in effect; or
(3) The caller indicates that incidents of domestic violence have occurred previously between the parties.
3. Law enforcement agencies may establish domestic crisis teams or, if the agency has fewer than five officers whose responsibility it is to respond to calls of this nature, individual officers trained in methods of dealing with domestic violence. Such teams or individuals may be supplemented by social workers, ministers or other persons trained in counseling or . When an alleged incident of domestic violence is reported, the agency may dispatch a crisis team or specially trained officer, if available, to the scene of the incident.
4. The officer at the scene of an alleged incident of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault shall inform the abused party of available for from domestic violence and of available shelters for victims of domestic violence.
5. Law enforcement officials at the scene shall provide or arrange transportation for the abused party to a medical facility for treatment of injuries or to a place of shelter or safety.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1980 S.B. 524 § 15, A.L. 1986 S.B. 450, A.L. 1989 S.B. 420, A.L. 2013 H.B. 215, A.L. 2015 S.B. 321 merged with S.B. 341)
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