455.080. Law enforcement agencies response to alleged incidents of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault — factors indicating need for immediate response — establishment of crisis team — transportation of abused party to medical treatment or shelter.
Police must treat domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault as serious emergencies.
This law outlines how law enforcement should respond to domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault calls, including when an immediate response is required and what help officers must provide to victims.
1. Police departments may create procedures to make sure officers and dispatchers can check if:
- There were past reports of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault involving the same people
- There is an active order of protection, and what its terms are
2. Police must treat these cases as seriously as similar crimes involving strangers. They cannot treat domestic incidents as lower priority. An immediate response is needed if:
- (1) The caller says violence is happening or about to happen
- (2) There is an active protection order
- (3) The caller says there have been past incidents of domestic violence
3. Departments may create crisis response teams trained to handle domestic violence, or designate trained officers for these calls. These teams can include social workers, clergy, or counselors. If available, a trained team or officer should be sent to the scene.
4. Officers must tell the abused person about court options and available shelters.
5. Officers must help arrange or provide transportation to a hospital or shelter if needed.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to speak with a Missouri domestic violence defense attorney.
