What will happen when you call the police?

Before you call the police, ask patient if s/he needs to make arrangements for children who may be in the home when the police arrive to arrest partner.

Police will take the report and come out to investigate by interviewing the patient and any witnesses, and evaluating the evidence. If there is sufficient "probable cause" to arrest the partner, they will do so even if the patient does not want to press charges. If they cannot find the partner to be arrested, they will issue an arrest warrant.

At the time they come out to the clinic/hospital you could give the police officer your written report as well as any evidence or photographs. If you do not have a camera, you can request that the police take pictures.

Once the abuser is arrested, depending on the circumstances, s/he will be allowed to post bail. If able to do so, the abusive partner may be back at home in a few hours. If unable to post bail, an arraignment will be held in usually 1-3 days.

Police should inform patient of a variety of legal actions which can be taken for protection once the abuser is released from custody. For further information, you can refer patient to California Courts Self-Help Center or SCC Superior Court Self Service Center.

Since this will be a very dangerous time for the patient, you need to be sure someone has talked with her/him about immediate safety, before s/he leaves your office, the hospital or the ED.

• discharge instructions
• safety plan
• Patient Abuse Referral and Resource Sheets (see Patient Materials)