Publication Date

5-2015

Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)

3-13-2015

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice

Department

Criminal Justice

Major Advisor

Lisa G. Bostaph, Ph.D.

Advisor

Laura King, Ph.D.

Advisor

Lane Gillespie, Ph.D.

Abstract

In 2011, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence stated that 1.3 million individuals are victims of domestic violence (DV) every year. This staggering statistic uncovers just how relevant the issue of domestic violence is in the United States. Research has been relatively silent concerning the examination of police officer response time to DV calls for assistance. Response time is important to all calls for service, but is extremely important in domestic violence calls where victims run the risk of physical injury.

This study found that response time did not have a significant effect on whether the offender was present on-scene at the time of their arrival, whether the victim sustained any injuries during the altercation, or whether the victim required medical attention. However, it was found that response time did have a statistically significant effect on offender arrest. More specifically, the odds of an offender being placed under arrest decreased 4.7% for every minute of response time.

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