Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 12 - LAW ENFORCEMENT, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND MILITARY AFFAIRS (§§ 12-1-101 — 12-88-109) › Subtitle 2 - LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS (§§ 12-6-101 — 12-20-301) › Chapter 9 - LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TRAINING AND STANDARDS (§§ 12-9-101 — 12-9-603) › Subchapter 1 - COMMISSION AND ADVISORY BOARD ON STANDARDS AND TRAINING (§§ 12-9-101 — 12-9-126) › Section 12-9-113 - Domestic violence training

(a)
(1)
In accordance with the certification requirements of the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training for law enforcement officers, all new law enforcement officers in the State of Arkansas shall complete at least twenty (20) hours of training in domestic violence and twenty (20) hours of training in child abuse.
(2)
Practicum training will also be sufficient for this requirement.
(b)
Pertaining to domestic abuse, the topics that shall be covered are:
(1)
The dynamics of domestic abuse;
(2)
The Domestic Abuse Act of 1991, §
9-15-101
et seq.;
(3)
Domestic abuse victim interview techniques;
(4)
Supportive services available;
(5)
Pro-arrest guidelines and drawbacks of dual arrest and practices to promote the safety of officers;
(6)
Techniques for handling incidents of offenses involving a family or household member that minimize the likelihood of injury to the law enforcement officer and that promote the safety of the victim;
(7)
The nature and extent of offenses involving a family or household member;
(8)
The signs of offenses involving a family or household member;
(9)
Criminal conduct that may be related to offenses involving a family or household member, including without limitation:
(A)
Coercion for purposes of committing or impeding the investigation or prosecution of offenses involving a family or household member;
(B)
Unlawful imprisonment;
(C)
Extortion and the use of fear;
(D)
Crimes of fraud; and
(E)
Unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image;
(10)
The assessment of lethality or signs of lethal violence in offenses involving a family or household member;
(11)
The legal rights of, and remedies available to, victims of offenses involving a family or household member;
(12)
Documentation, report writing, and evidence collection;
(13)
Diversion of offenses involving a family or household member;
(14)
Tenancy issues with offenses involving a family or household member;
(15)
The impact on children of law enforcement intervention in offenses involving a family or household member;
(16)
The services and facilities available to victims and offenders;
(17)
The use and applications of the criminal law in situations that involve family or household members;
(18)
Verification and enforcement of orders of protection in situations both in which the suspect is present and in which the suspect has fled;
(19)
Cite and release policies, as applicable; and
(20)
Emergency assistance to victims and how to assist victims in pursuing criminal justice options.
(c)
(1)
The training that addresses domestic violence under subsection (b) of this section shall include a brief current and historical context on:
(A)
Communities of color impacted by incarceration and violence;
(B)
Enforcement of criminal laws in situations in which an offense against a family or household member has occurred;
(C)
Availability of civil remedies and community resources; and
(D)
Protection of the victim.
(2)
If appropriate, the training under subsection (b) of this section shall include experts on domestic violence and other offenses involving a family or household member, who may include victims and people who have committed an offense involving a family or household member and have been or are in the process of being rehabilitated, with expertise in the delivery of direct services to victims and people who have committed an offense involving a family or household member, including without limitation utilizing the staff of shelters for victims.
(d)
Pertaining to child abuse victim interview techniques, the topics that shall be covered are:
(1)
Current law, including the Child Maltreatment Act, §
12-18-101
et seq., and the Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989, §
9-27-301
et seq.;
(2)
Child sexual abuse; and
(3)
Physical and behavioral indicators.
Amended by Act 2021, No. 800,§ 3, eff. 7/28/2021.
Acts 2001, No. 1452, § 1; 2009, No. 758, § 22.