Lovers' Quarrel

Overview

In this scenario, the trainee is responding to a domestic disturbance call regarding a verbal altercation between a male and a female. The trainee will begin in the front doorway of the residence. The male suspect enters the room and begins acting aggressively towards the female and the trainee. Branch options for the training officer will lead the trainee to focus on maintaining a safe reactionary distance while clearly articulating commands to the suspect.

Branch Options

The training officer will select one branching scenario.

• Intro: The intro will begin with a woman who says that she called the police because her daughter’s fiancé is acting aggressively towards her daughter and she is afraid for her daughter’s safety. The daughter and male suspect will enter the living room and the male suspect will begin acting aggressively towards the officer and begin breaking items in the house. The male suspect will then grab a baseball bat.

• Hold Weapon Idle: The male suspect will stand there with a baseball bat and idle until the TO selects from one of the two branching scenarios.

  • Attack: The male suspect will begin moving towards the trainee and swing at the trainee with the baseball bat. The scenario will end when the threat has been neutralized.

  • Comply: The male suspect will comply with the trainee’s commands and will place the baseball bat on the floor while raising his hands. This will end the scenario.

Force Options

• Firearm

• Taser

• OC Spray

• Verbal Commands

• Physical Contact

Training Objectives

This scenario will engage the officer’s situational awareness, proper use of force, tactics, and de-escalation techniques. The trainee will need to recognize the aggressive nature of the male suspect and create space between the trainee and the suspect leaving a reactionary gap. When initially beginning the scenario, the trainee will be presented with a woman who appears to be distraught and is asking for assistance with a male suspect that she believes is going to hurt her daughter.

• Initial Intro:

  • Recognize the aggressive comments and body language of the male suspect.

  • Scanning the area for possible threats and weapons.

  • The trainee should create distance between them and the suspect leaving a reactionary gap.

  • The Trainee should attempt the use de-escalation techniques while speaking with the male suspect.

  • Trainees should radio the current situation and request an additional unit.

• Weapon Presented:

  • Trainee recognizes that a weapon has been presented.

  • Uses appropriate use of force response when presented with immediate deadly force encounter.

  • Trainee should move to a position of cover.

Initial Dispatch

The trainee is dispatched as a single officer unit to domestic disturbance call regarding a verbal altercation between a male and a female. There have been no reports of violence, however, yelling could be heard while dispatch was taking the call. The mother of the female made the call and is concerned for her daughter’s safety. The trainee has already made entry to the residence and is with the female complainant.

Review Mode Notes

• The TO will be able to discuss the dangers of domestic disturbance calls.

• TO should discuss the importance of constantly scanning the immediate area looking for possible weapons when inside a residence.

• TO should discuss the dangers of not having space between them and a suspect.

• The TO will be able to discuss proper protocols and department policy.