Procedure 604-Family Disturbances/Violence

Question 1

.01. Preservation of the peace in family disturbances is perhaps the most sensitive area of law enforcement and presents;

Answer 1

the greatest challenge and risk to officers.

Question 2

.01. To be effective, officers must not only be cautious, but also be;

Answer 2

firm in their actions and courteous as well as tactful in their manner.

Question 3

.05A. If an officer establishes probable cause to believe a person has committed an offense involving family violence, and the offense includes the use of a weapon, choking of the victim or the offender has a history of family violence, officers are to;

Answer 3

make a reasonable effort to arrest the offender without a warrant.

Question 4

.05B. In family violence cases where the offense included the use of a weapon, choking of the victim or the offender has a history of family violence, and the effort to arrest him/her without a warrant was not successful, officers should begin;

Answer 4

making efforts to secure a warrant of arrest for the offender.

Question 5

.05C. The respective substation CRT Officers will prepare warrants during;

Answer 5

their business hours. The Family Violence Detail or Night CID Unit will prepare warrants at all other times.

Question 6

.05D. Officers will contact the follow-up unit;

Answer 6

prior to the release of any witnesses, complainants and prior to the transporting and booking of the actor.

Question 7

.05E. Officers have several available methods of contacting the Special Victims Unit, including:

Answer 7

1. Contacting detectives on Central channel;
2. Calling the Special Victims Unit office.
3. Contacting the Communications Unit, where the detectives’ cell phone numbers are listed.

Question 8

.05I. Who shall provide family violence training to Police Service Agents, Crisis Response Teams and Crime Scene Unit Investigators?

Answer 8

Special Victims Unit

Question 9

.06A. Patrol Division Officers:Present warrants for arrest to the magistrate and properly;

Answer 9

log the warrants in with the Bexar County Sheriff’s office, when instructed to do so by the follow up units;

Question 10

.06B. Write the appropriate crime scene search report and package it along with SAPD Form #2089-DV which has been filled out and signed by the victim. Route the SAPD Form #2089-DV to the Special Victims Unit and the 2089-DA Danger Assessment Checklist to the CRT Office;

Answer 10

UEDI / CSU Investigator

Question 11

.06B. Occasionally, will go to an area substation to obtain pictures of a victim of family violence.

Answer 11

Crime Scene Unit Investigator

Question 12

.06C. When a victim of family violence presents his/herself at a substation, the Police Service Agent will first determine whether an offense report has already been made.

Answer 12

Police Service Agents

Question 13

.06C. If no report has been made will have a Crisis Response Team (CRT) officer, if available, or an officer come in from the field to make the report.

Answer 13

Police Service Agents

Question 14

.06C. If an offense report has been made, will provide the victim with SAPD Form #2089-DV and have the victim complete the form.

Answer 14

Police Service Agents

Question 15

.06C. They will then package the completed SAPD Form #2089-DV along with any photographs and route to the SVU and complete and route the SAPD Form #2089-DA (Danger Assessment Checklist) to the CRT Office at the appropriate substation.

Answer 15

Police Service Agents

Question 16

.06C. If a UEDI / CSI nor CRT member are available, they will take digital pictures of the victim and his/her injuries and refer to Procedure 408, Digital Photography, for the handling of digital images.

Answer 16

Police Service Agents

Question 17

.06D. When they make a location where a victim of family violence has not had pictures taken and/or has not filled out SAPD Form #2089-DV they shall provide the form for the victim to complete and take pictures of the victim and any injuries.

Answer 17

Crisis Response Team

Question 18

They will provide for the victim’s safety per their Standard Operating Procedures.

Answer 18

Crisis Response Team

Question 19

.06D. If a warrant will be obtained for an actor for a felony offense, they will, so a detective can be assigned to the follow up investigation first notify the Special Victims Unit supervisor

Answer 19

Crisis Response Team

Question 20

All documents obtained, including the warrant, affidavit and offense reports will be forwarded to the follow up unit for inclusion in the case filing paperwork forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office.

Answer 20

Crisis Response Team

Question 21

.06D. Upon order of the Court, they will coordinate the surrender of any firearms, as ordered by the court.

Answer 21

property room personnel, the assigned CRT substation personnel, and the designated third party assigned by the court

Question 22

.06D. They will return the required documents to Pretrial Services, as instructed by the court.

Answer 22

The assigned CRT substation personnel

Question 23

.06D. Pursuant to the court order, a firearm may not be returned to a suspect except by;

Answer 23

further order of the court.

Question 24

.06E. Special Victims Unit: Upon receipt of the packets from the Crime Scene Investigators, Police Service Agents, or Crisis Response Teams, he shall inspect the information included in the packets for completeness.

Answer 24

a supervisor

Question 25

.06E. Where medical releases or other information are required, shall be assigned to a detective to obtain.

Answer 25

Misdemeanor Family Violence cases

Question 26

.07A. May interview suspects, but will not verbally accuse, directly or indirectly, any person of causing the suspected abuse, so the suspect will not become apprehensive and refuse to speak to follow up personnel

Answer 26

Patrol Division Officers

Question 27

.07A. Will notify the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services through one of the following methods:

Answer 27

Patrol Division Officers

Question 28

.07A. Call the specially designated Child Abuse Statewide Intake hotline number for law enforcement at 1- 800-877-5300;

Answer 28

Patrol Division Officers

Question 29

.07A. Make an online report to the Statewide Intake office by logging in to www.reportabuse.ws and followingthe directions on the website;

Answer 29

Patrol Division Officers

Question 30

.07A. Fax a copy of the report to the Statewide Intake office at 1-800-647-7410.

Answer 30

Patrol Division Officers

Question 31

.07A. Officers will submit a copy of the completed report, by personal delivery, fax, or email to the specific investigating unit, which may be the Special Victims Unit and/or Night CID Unit ASAP, but by;

Answer 31

no later than the end of their tour of duty.

Question 32

.07C. Respond to the hospital, school or other location and contact the responding officer, when possible, on all Injury to Child with Serious Bodily Injury cases;

Answer 32

Special Victims Unit or Night CID Unit

Question 33

.07C. Ensure a Crime Scene Unit investigator is assigned when evidence collection or photographs are necessary.

Answer 33

Special Victims Unit or Night CID Unit

Question 34

.08A. Whenever possible, how many officers are dispatched on family disturbance and family/dating violence calls. An effort should be made to coordinate their arrival at the scene.

Answer 34

{2} officers

Question 35

.09A. After the initial contact with the occupants, the officers should ask to speak with him/her. If;

Answer 35

the complainant is an occupant of the dwelling,

Question 36

.09B. When officers enter a dwelling with the consent of either or both parties, and subsequently one party requests they leave, the officers may remain over the objections of the other party, if;

Answer 36

the officers have probable cause to believe their presence is necessary to prevent family violence or to affect an arrest.

Question 37

.09C If the officers have probable cause to believe police intervention is necessary to prevent family / dating violence, the officers should contact;

Answer 37

their supervisor and move to public property and observe the premises while waiting for the arrival of their supervisor.

Question 38

.09D. Officers may forcibly enter a dwelling only under

Answer 38

exigent circumstances, when probable cause exists that immediate intervention is imperative to prevent the commission of a felony, loss of life, or serious bodily injury.

Question 39

.09C. Officers must evaluate the following elements when considering a forced entry:

Answer 39

a. Whether parties involved are armed; and

b. Probability of harm to officers or persons.

Question 40

.10B. If counseling is requested by either party involved in the dispute or if the victim requests assistance in filing a criminal complaint or obtaining a protective order, they shall be referred to the;

Answer 40

SAPD Victims Advocacy Office.

Question 41

.11D When circumstances reasonably show threatened violence may occur, the officers may affect an arrest to prevent the threatened violence, provided the threat occurs in the officers’ presence or view, but should remain;

Answer 41

flexible when dealing with situations involving threats only.

Question 42

11E When physical injury is threatened against a child but has not been inflicted, Officers may affect an arrest, even when the threat occurs outside of the officer’s presence or view, when;

Answer 42

circumstances reasonably show it is necessary to prevent the assault.

Question 43

11F. Officers and UEDI inquire into the presence of firearms and will discuss safety options, which include, placing the firearms in;

Answer 43

the property room to prevent the suspect from gaining access to the firearms.

Question 44

.12A. Any officer responding to a family disturbance or family / dating violence call involving a sworn member of this Department, shall;

Answer 44

request the presence of a supervisory officer.

Question 45

.12B. The supervisory officer notified of a sworn member’s involvement in a family disturbance or family/dating violence call;

Answer 45

shall respond to the scene and assess the situation.

Question 46

.12C. If the incident warrants a custodial arrest of a sworn member, the supervisor shall;

Answer 46

notify command officers in accordance with, Command Notification.

Question 47

.12C. Who shall be the approving authority for any custodial arrest;

Answer 47

Highest ranking command officer to respond to the scene

Question 48

.12C. The supervisor shall forward copies of all offense, incident, or supplemental reports to;

Answer 48

Office of the Chief,
Internal Affairs Unit,
division commander of arrested officer.

Question 49

.12D. If the incident does not warrant a custodial arrest of a sworn member, the supervisor assigned to the incident shall;

Answer 49

submit copies of all offense, incident, or supplemental reports to the Internal Affairs Unit and the division commander of the officer involved.

Question 50

.12E. The Internal Affairs Unit, upon receiving a report of a sworn member being involved in family /dating violence incident, shall conduct a thorough investigation of the incident and report their findings to;

Answer 50

The Chief’s Advisory Action Board.

Question 51

.12F. The Internal Affairs Unit, upon receiving a report of a sworn members being involved in family disturbance, shall conduct an;

Answer 51

administrative review of the incident to determine any disciplinary issues which need to be addressed through the Chief’s Advisory Action Board.

Question 52

.13B. Any sworn member who becomes a suspect in a Class C misdemeanor crime of family /dating violence shall;

Answer 52

notify their immediate supervisory, in writing as soon as possible.

Question 53

.13B. Any sworn member arrested or charged with a Class C misdemeanor crime of family/dating shall notify;

Answer 53

the Office of the Chief in writing.

Question 54

.13B. Any sworn member who becomes the subject of a protective order or condition of bond in a family violence case shall immediately notify;

Answer 54

a supervisory officer in writing, who will ensure the officer is placed on administrative duty pending further investigation.

Question 55

.13B. Any sworn member convicted of a Class C misdemeanor crime of family /dating violence or having a conviction prior to the effective date of this procedure shall immediately notify;

Answer 55

a supervisory officer who will place the officer on administrative duty, pending further investigation of the conviction.

Question 56

.13C. Any sworn member convicted of a Class C misdemeanor crime of family or dating violence shall;

Answer 56

immediately relinquish their department-issued firearms to the Internal Affairs Unit supervisor assigned to the case.

Question 57

.13C. Any supervisory officer having knowledge of a sworn member being convicted of a Class C misdemeanor crime of family or dating violence prior to the effective date of this procedure;

Answer 57

shall relieve the sworn member of his firearm.

Question 58

.13C. The sworn member’s department-issued firearms will be taken to the;

Answer 58

Armory and Supply Office during normal business hours or Property Room during non-business hours by the supervisory officer taking possession.

Question 59

.13B. When a Class C misdemeanor assault is committed or suspected the complainant is advised to contact the;

Answer 59

Domestic Violence Court Prosecutor’s Office located in the Municipal Court Building to file charges.

Question 60

.13C. The reporting officer provides the victim with Pseudonym forms if requested, completes the form together with the victim, provides the victim with a copy, and return the original to the Special Victims Unit;

Answer 60

in person or in a sealed envelope through the departmental bin mail.

Question 61

.13D. If the family disturbance or family/dating violence call involves a sworn member of this Department, all officers assigned to the call, including supervisors;

Answer 61

shall submit reports detailing their involvement in the incident.

Question 62

E. Any supervisory officer relieving a sworn member of a firearm for a conviction of a Class C crime of
family/dating violence shall;

Answer 62

document any actions taken in a written report through their chain of command, with a copy to Armory and Supply Office.

Question 63

G. An officer who investigates a family /dating violence allegation, or responds to a family disturbance, involving a member of the military, shall provide written notice to;

Answer 63

the Staff Judge Advocate at Joint Forces H.Q. or the Provost Marshal of the military installation the suspect is assigned.