During a domestic violence call, what should you determine in your disposition?

• A. Primary aggressor and potential co-occurring crimes.
• B. Suspect's employment status.
• C. Weather conditions.
• D. Whether to issue a citation.

Answer: (A)

In a domestic violence call, the disposition should clearly identify who acted as the primary aggressor and note any co-occurring crimes. This focuses on accountability, safety, and a complete picture of the incident for charging and reporting. Determining the primary aggressor guides who should be held responsible and how to document injuries, threats, and risk factors, while identifying co-occurring offenses—such as additional assaults, weapons violations, or violations of protective orders—ensures those related crimes are addressed. Details like the suspect’s employment status or weather conditions don’t speak to who harmed whom or what laws were broken, and simply deciding to issue a citation doesn’t address the broader and safety-critical aspects of the incident.