Police Reponses to Domestic Violence: An Interview-Based Study Involving UK Police Officers.

Domestic violence (DV) is an issue of significant concern for the criminal justice system (CJS) and wider society. The issue has been deemed critical due to its impact on a wide range of people in society. A particularly significant concern has been authorities' approaches to protecting people from further victimisation. Police officers are vital in protecting victims from domestic violence, as well as arresting the perpetrators and ensuring they are punished appropriately. Irrespective of this, there have been increased cases of unreported DV in England and Wales in recent years, which brings into question the role of the police and the entire CJS. In this context, the current study assessed the issue of effective DV responses from the perspective of police officers; they are a unique information source on this key issue. In greater detail, the researcher conducted interviews with London Metropolitan Police officers, following a convenience sample (n=8) method. The main outcome of the study is that reporting has been low, in part because victims are discouraged from reporting based on various and complex circumstances and issues. In particular, the public has a negative perception regarding the role of the police in helping DV victims; thus, these victims become reluctant to report. The study also established that social beliefs have been prevalent in police departments, further leading to DV victims not reporting victimisation. To minimise these issues, this research argues that police officers should become more sensitised to their negative biases regarding DV.