Factors that Affect the Arrest Decision in Domestic Violence Cases
Published online on February 04, 2015
Abstract
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, Volume 38, Issue 1, March 2015.
Purpose This paper examines domestic violence calls for service data in one Florida county for a two-year period from July 2004 through July 2006. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study include information gathered on domestic violence calls for service during a two-year period (n=3200). This secondary data was analyzed by logistic regression to determine statistically significant predictor variables. Findings This study found that severity of crime, presence of children, presence of an injunction, and victim injury increased the likelihood of an arrest. Victim race, location of call, victim alcohol use, and length of relationship did not affect likelihood of arrest. Research limitations/implications Use of secondary data precluded examination of additional relevant variable information. Practical implications The research shows clear law violations and seriousness of the acts correlate to an increased likelihood of an arrest. Arrest research should inform police training and policy. Originality/value There is an ongoing need to examine agency-level response to domestic violence. This paper adds to the literature on the law enforcement response to domestic violence. The paper suggests areas for future research.
Purpose This paper examines domestic violence calls for service data in one Florida county for a two-year period from July 2004 through July 2006. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study include information gathered on domestic violence calls for service during a two-year period (n=3200). This secondary data was analyzed by logistic regression to determine statistically significant predictor variables. Findings This study found that severity of crime, presence of children, presence of an injunction, and victim injury increased the likelihood of an arrest. Victim race, location of call, victim alcohol use, and length of relationship did not affect likelihood of arrest. Research limitations/implications Use of secondary data precluded examination of additional relevant variable information. Practical implications The research shows clear law violations and seriousness of the acts correlate to an increased likelihood of an arrest. Arrest research should inform police training and policy. Originality/value There is an ongoing need to examine agency-level response to domestic violence. This paper adds to the literature on the law enforcement response to domestic violence. The paper suggests areas for future research.