PROBLEM SOLVING EXERCISE
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PROBLEM SOLVING EXERCISE
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FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES
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SCENARIO
Late Saturday night, while on patrol, two members are dispatched to attend a domestic dispute at 250 Sleigh Street, Buffalo. The call was received from a neighbour indicating that she heard glass breaking and a man and woman arguing loudly. She also stated that this was not the first time that this had happened.
For purposes of this exercise, the CPIC/PIRS check reveals many calls to this location, extensive criminal record including violence, assaults, prohibited from owning firearms for another three years, vehicle information, stalking and assault complaints by the woman at the residence.
You and your partner attend the residence. All seems quiet. A sobbing Mrs. Wendy Milner explains that Harley is still in the house. She tells you that he has threatened to kill her with a rifle. She adds that he has a rifle in the closet. Your partner talks to Harley in the kitchen, while you continue to interview Wendy. Harley has been drinking, and Wendy has a bruised and bloody face.
Wendy Milner explains that she has left Harley on two previous occasions. In both cases, Harley constantly followed her, even to places they had never frequented together and called her repeatedly at work and at her mother's home, where she was living. In both cases, she made complaints to police about his harassing behaviour. She returned to him because she felt it would be easier to live with the beatings than to live with the constant threat of being killed, which she felt he was capable of doing.
PROBLEM SOLVING EXERCISE - ANSWERS
The victim, the suspect and the complainant.
Although victims of spousal abuse basically want to be protected, there is a syndrome involved where in some cases they feel they deserve the punishment and in many cases they don't wish anybody to know about the abuse and are embarrassed by their situation. Their reaction to police intervention may be mixed. For example, they may want the police to leave or they may try to protect their assailant.
That we treat them with respect for human dignity.
That we protect the victim and ensure the least possible harm is caused and that the incidents stop as they raise fears of potential harm.
Women's groups, victims groups.
That we protect the victim and refer her for assistance and possibly that we refer the abuser for assistance. That we use appropriate intervention techniques that focus on the needs of the victim.
A domestic dispute.
Steps to initiate investigation:
1. Do a CPIC/PIRS check
2. Determine the potential offence(s)
3. Power of arrest and limitations
4. Do a risk assessment (information gathering)
What is the potential offence(s)? Do you have the power to arrest?
Potential Offence - Assault (Section 266 C.C.) or Assault Causing Bodily Harm (Section 267 C.C.) or Sexual Assault (Section 271 C.C.)
Yes, I have the power to arrest according to Section 495(1)(a) C.C. I have reasonable grounds to believe that an indictable offence has been committed. There are limitations on my power to arrest because the offenses mentioned are dual procedure. Authority Section 495(2)(b) C.C.
STAGE 1 - INFORMATION GATHERING
Factors to Consider:
- time of day
- location
- number of injured persons
- extent of injuries
- number of members available to attend
- alcohol or drugs involved
- previous record of suspects
- number of persons involved
- whether suspect is armed
- emotional state of individuals involved
- related previous complaints
Analysis:
It is night. There is a loud argument and breaking of glass, therefore emotions are running high. It is not clear whether anyone has been harmed or whether drugs or alcohol are involved. There seems to be two persons involved. There has been previous related calls from this location. One of the residents has a previous record for violence including the use of firearms. It is not known whether the suspect is armed. You have your partner with you.
Conclusion:
This is a high risk situation for police and public.
Police Responsibilities:
- CPIC and PIRS check
- Get information (5 Ws and How)
- Plan
Factors to consider:
- amount of traffic
- pedestrians
- seriousness of the situation
- time of day/visibility
- weather conditions
- our own driving skills and state of alertness
Analysis:
We don't know what the traffic conditions are in this particular scenario. We do know that the suspect has a criminal record involving the use of weapons, is a recurrent offender and that the complainant said she heard a loud argument and breaking glass.
Conclusion:
Both the likelihood and potential extent of harm are high.
Police Responsibilities:
- watch for suspect/suspect vehicle
- use of emergency equipment
- ensure appropriate partners are contacted to come
Factors to consider:
- availability of cover
- impact of announcing our arrival (use of emergency equipment)
- security of vehicle to ensure means for leaving
- presence of public and related security
Analysis:
Since no information has been provided on the situation that the police officers arrive at, I would follow the normal procedures:
Conclusion:
We should continue to look at this as a high risk situation.
Police Responsibilities:
- advise dispatch of our arrival (10-23, 10-7)
- wait for back-up if required, don't park right at the scene
- cover for vehicle and ourselves
- don't announce arrival, e.g. emergency equipment or loud talk
- lock vehicle
- watch for suspect and suspect vehicle
Factors to consider:
- level of resistance of the suspect
- availability of cover
- whether weapons are involved
- seriousness of the situation
- availability of backup
- time of day/visibility
- weather (extreme cold to heat-fogging of glasses)
- whether victims are still present
- size of the officer vs. others involved in the incident
- physical capabilities of the officer vs. those of others involved
- officer's experience
- abilities to negotiate
- level of alertness (fatigue) of the officer
- number of persons involved
- diversity issues
- whether drugs or alcohol are involved
- emotional state of individuals involved
Analysis:
Since no information has been provided on the situation that the police officers arrive at, we would follow the normal procedures.
Conclusion:
We should continue to look at this as a high risk situation.
Police Responsibilities:
- stop, look and listen
- move slowly
- don't expose ourselves to danger
- do a window check
- officer in front uses flashlight in weak hand
- continually assess
Factors to consider:
- level of resistance of the suspect
- officer presence
- availability of cover
- layout of building
- whether weapons are involved
- whether victims are sill present
- sounds of violence or anger
- diversity issues
- size of the officer vs. others involved in the incident
- physical capabilities of the officer vs. those of others involved
- officer's training and experience
- officer's abilities to negotiate
- level of alertness (fatigue) of the officer
- number of persons involved
- whether drugs or alcohol are involved
- emotional state of individuals involved
- time of day
- distance between officer and the suspect - the further the distance the more time a police officer will have to react
Analysis:
The suspect has a record of violence using weapons. The victims are still present and there are sounds of violence and anger. We have our partner with us and by now we have been trained in anger management and negotiation skills.
Conclusion:
We should continue to look at this as a high risk situation.
Police Responsibilities:
Since this is a high risk situation, we should take all precautions:
- don't take unnecessary risks
- cover each other
- stand side-ways at either side of the door
- knock normally. If invited in, do not enter until occupants come to the door - don't assume everything is O.K.
- let our eyes adjust to the light
- go in one at a time
- leapfrogging and scanning the room twice and reassess
You and your partner attend the residence. All seems quiet. A sobbing Mrs. Wendy Milner explains that Harley is still in the house. She tells you that he has threatened to kill her with a rifle. She adds that he has a rifle in the closet. Your partner talks to Harley in the kitchen, while you continue to interview Wendy. Harley has been drinking, and Wendy has a bruised and bloody face.
Wendy Milner explains that she has left Harley on two previous occasions. In both cases, Harley constantly followed her, even to places they had never frequented together and called her repeatedly at work and at her mother's home, where she was living. In both cases, she made complaints to police about his harassing behaviour. She returned to him because she felt it would be easier to live with the beatings than to live with the constant threat of being killed, which she felt he was capable of doing.
Factors to consider:
- officer presence
- level of resistance of the suspect
- availability of cover
- layout of building
- whether weapons are involved
- whether victims are still present
- diversity issues
- distance between officer and the suspect - the further the distance the more time a police officer will have to react
- size of the officer vs. others involved in the incident
- physical capabilities of the officer vs. those of others involved
- officer's training and experience
- officer's ability to negotiate
- level of alertness (fatigue) of the officer
- number of persons involved
- whether drugs or alcohol are involved
- the emotional state of individuals involved
Analysis:
Harley Milner is in the house. He has been drinking and he has threatened to kill Wendy. He is now quietly seated in the kitchen. There are two people involved, a male and female, both relatively calm but there are two armed officers present.
Conclusion:
Both the likelihood and potential extent of harm seem low, but the situation could change at any time.
Police Responsibilities:
- scan for weapons and if noticed, remove or block access to them
- note number of people
- note number and location of exits
- Harley is no longer aggressive and doesn't need to be moved as he is in the kitchen and Mrs. Milner is in the entrance way. However, the kitchen has the greatest potential for a suspect accessing weapons and officer should remain very alert
- keep eye contact with partner and communicate as required
- don't let people out of sight - watch hands
- don't relax too soon
- remember your perception may be distorted because of the stress the situation inevitably will create
- seize the weapon
- inform the victim of your intentions to arrest
- arrest the suspect
- handcuff, while advising of the reason for the arrest and reading Charter of Rights and Freedoms and police warning
- search Harley
- be prepared to reassess if new information becomes available - remember the facts
- now that Harley is in custody, arrange for required medical assistance
- photograph Mrs. Milner when safety issues are under control
- arrange to take a statement
Factors to consider:
- level of resistance of suspect
- availability of cover
- layout of building
Analysis:
Milner has been arrested and handcuffed and poses little threat.
Conclusion:
Both the likelihood and potential extent of additional harm to the victim are low. They are also low for the police officers. However, you must remain alert as spouses have been known, on occasion, to turn on police when they actually see their spouse being arrested. Spousal violence situations are volatile. A calm situation can erupt into a violent one within moments. Don't relax too soon.
Source: Cadet Training Program - RCMP
© GRC-RCMP
ecdd1195.doc
December 22, 1998
Client
- Thinking Skills [Problem Solving]