One of the great difficulties in addressing their questions is the diversity of law enforcement agencies. Urban and rural, state, federal, and local government, they range in size from a few officers to thousands of officers. What works with one department may not work with another. Being a victim in a large city is worlds apart from being a victim in a small town or rural area, so counseling and advocacy require different approaches. Each domestic violence agency is faced with the task of responding to the needs of the victims in their specific community, and determining whether they are able to work cooperatively with their local law enforcement agency.
Domestic battery is a criminal offense.
An officer convicted of domestic battery is prohibited by federal law from possessing a weapon, whether on or off duty. When an officer is accused of domestic battery, several players become involved in the case, and it is important that the advocate educate the victim on each player's role. Each player will look at her case from the perspective of that role. For example, Police administrators are concerned with the department's responsibility to protect the victim, but also consider liability issues from their perspective as the officer's employer. The department may be invested in either saving or terminating an officer's career, depending on many factors.