Law Enforcement and Domestic Violence - Essay Example

There are several considerable statistics related to domestic violence. One of the most notable recognitions is the potential that domestic violence incidents may ultimately lead to death. In this way, it’s noted that 30% of all women murdered in the United States were murdered by intimates (Gaines 2011, p. 231). One of the primary recognitions is that in domestic violence incidents, there is a strong tendency towards cyclical recurrence. These cyclical recurrences can then result in increased levels of violence that can potentially lead to death if police do not implement proper discretion.

Another prominent consideration related to domestic violence is the Minneapolis Domestic Violence Experiment. Specifically, the Minneapolis domestic violence experiment argued that arrest was the most effective way of deterring violence against women. The experiment considered statistics in Minneapolis within six months. The findings compared “abusers who were either arrested, temporarily separated from their victims by the police, or given some sort of police counseling” (Lerman 1992, p. 217). The study indicated that only 10% of individuals who were arrested were repeat offenders. This was the lowest rate among the three elements examined.

While the Minneapolis Domestic Violence Experiment supports increased arrests, ultimately it seems that the most effective course of action is to not require that all individuals be arrested on domestic violence calls. While the Minneapolis Domestic Violence Experiment found that arrest was the most effective deterrent other studies have conflicted with these findings. Buzawa & Buzawa (1990, p. 150) indicated that there were significant disparities between forms and circumstances of domestic violence. Sherman himself, one of the contributors to the Minneapolis study, argued that it would be counter-productive to enact laws that demanded all individuals be arrested on domestic violence calls. While it is undeniably important to reduce domestic violence simply requiring all individuals on domestic violence calls to be arrested is making too much of a blanket assumption and may contribute to the problem. Rather it’s necessary to implement further discretion before requiring an arrest occur.

In conclusion, this essay has examined how domestic violence police discretions can lead to death. Additionally, it has examined whether arrests should be mandatory on domestic violence calls. In terms of the potential of death, the essay implements statistical evidence in demonstrating the high number of deaths caused by intimates; additionally, it attests to the cyclical nature of domestic violence. The essay then argues that because of the complex nature of domestic violence and conflicting statistical evidence, police officers must use discretion in the arrest process. Read More