MCOLES Domestic Violence Response 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which statement best describes the 'cycle of violence' model in domestic violence cases?
- Abuse escalates linearly with each incident until the victim leaves
- Tension building, acute explosion, reconciliation, and calm phases repeat in a cycle (Correct answer)
- Violence only occurs during periods of financial stress
- Abusers always escalate to lethal violence within the first year
Correct answer: Tension building, acute explosion, reconciliation, and calm phases repeat in a cycle
The cycle of violence describes recurring phases — tension building, acute incident, reconciliation (honeymoon), and calm — which help explain why victims may return to abusers.
Question 2: A DV suspect is arrested. At booking, it is discovered the suspect is a law enforcement officer from another agency. The arresting officer should:
- Release the suspect on a professional courtesy basis
- Notify a supervisor but otherwise follow standard arrest procedures (Correct answer)
- Transfer the case to the suspect's employing agency immediately
- Issue a citation in lieu of physical arrest
Correct answer: Notify a supervisor but otherwise follow standard arrest procedures
Professional courtesy does not apply to domestic violence arrests; the officer must follow standard procedures and notify a supervisor of the circumstances.
Question 3: Under the federal Lautenberg Amendment, a person convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense is prohibited from:
- Obtaining a driver's license
- Possessing or purchasing firearms or ammunition (Correct answer)
- Applying for a PPO
- Working in law enforcement for five years
Correct answer: Possessing or purchasing firearms or ammunition
The Lautenberg Amendment (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)) permanently prohibits anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Question 4: An officer arrives and finds the DV suspect is intoxicated. This should affect the investigation by:
- Delaying arrest until the suspect is sober to ensure due process
- Being documented as a factor but not preventing arrest if probable cause exists (Correct answer)
- Reducing the charge to a lesser offense due to diminished capacity
- Requiring a blood draw before any arrest can be made
Correct answer: Being documented as a factor but not preventing arrest if probable cause exists
Intoxication must be documented as a risk factor and potential evidence, but it does not negate probable cause or delay a lawful DV arrest.
Question 5: A victim discloses she has been financially controlled — her abuser takes her paycheck and denies her access to money. This is classified as:
- A civil dispute outside police jurisdiction
- Economic abuse, a recognized form of domestic violence and coercive control (Correct answer)
- Theft, which must be investigated by a financial crimes unit
- A contract dispute between spouses
Correct answer: Economic abuse, a recognized form of domestic violence and coercive control
Economic abuse — controlling a victim's access to money, employment, or financial resources — is a recognized pattern of coercive control and domestic violence.
Question 6: When an officer suspects a child in a DV household is being abused or neglected, the officer's legal obligation in Michigan is to:
- Advise the victim to contact Child Protective Services at her discretion
- Mandatorily report the suspected abuse to CPS within 72 hours (Correct answer)
- Document the concern in the report but take no further action unless injuries are visible
- Obtain a court order before contacting CPS
Correct answer: Mandatorily report the suspected abuse to CPS within 72 hours
Michigan law makes law enforcement officers mandatory reporters; suspected child abuse or neglect must be reported to Child Protective Services immediately.
Question 7: The term 'vicarious trauma' in the context of DV response refers to:
- A suspect claiming the victim provoked the assault
- Cumulative emotional impact on officers repeatedly exposed to DV trauma (Correct answer)
- The victim blaming herself for the abuse
- Secondary injuries sustained by officers during a DV arrest
Correct answer: Cumulative emotional impact on officers repeatedly exposed to DV trauma
Vicarious trauma describes the cumulative psychological impact on responders who are repeatedly exposed to victims' traumatic experiences, a recognized occupational health concern for DV officers.
MCOLES Domestic Violence Response 4
Which statement best describes the 'cycle of violence' model in domestic violence cases?