On a domestic violence call, what should you look for in your disposition?

• A. Primary aggressor & potential co-occurring crimes.
• B. Only the primary complaint.
• C. Date and time of call only.
• D. Legal jurisdiction and supervisor on scene.

Answer: (A)

Identifying the primary aggressor and noting any potential co-occurring crimes is what should guide the disposition on a domestic violence call. This matters because DV situations often involve ongoing control, multiple offenses, and safety risks that go beyond the initial complaint. By determining who acted as the aggressor, you support accurate charging decisions and victim safety, while also documenting other offenses that may have occurred in the same incident, such as threats, assaults, weapons, strangulation, harassment, or violations of protective orders. Including these factors in the disposition provides context for why arrests or separations were made and informs follow-up investigations and victim resources. Focusing only on the main complaint misses the broader risk and dynamics, while recording only the date and time or only the administrative details like jurisdiction or on-scene supervision does not address the safety and accountability essential to a domestic violence response.