Location

145 East K Street
Forest City, IA 50436
641-585-2113
Fax: 641-585-2096
• e-mail: info@fcpolice.org

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WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN POLICE ARRIVE

When police are called they are required to investigate even if the victim did not request their services. The officer must interview both the victim and the suspect, as well as any other persons present at the time of alleged assault. Whenever possible each person will be interviewed separately.


The officer may also request information about injuries, past incidents of abuse, the current relationship with the alleged perpetrator, and information about other persons living in the home. The police may also ask to photograph any injuries or property damage that occured as a result of the domestic violence.


If the officer believes probable cause exists that a domestic abuse assault was committed with the intent to inflict a serious injury, or the alleged abuser used or displayed a dangerous weapon in connection with the assault, the officer will arrest the suspect.

Iowa's domestic abuse law is defined in Chapter 236 of the Iowa Code. When the police department responds to a domestic abuse situation, the officer will attempt to identify the primary physical aggressor. Arrests are made after consideration of injuries, threats made, history of the persons involved, and circumstances of the incident. Iowa law mandates that police make arrests under certain circumstances.

Definition of Domestic Abuse Under Iowa Law

"Domestic abuse" means committing assault as defined in section 708.1 under any of the following circumstances:
a. The assault is between family or household members who resided together at the time of the assault.
b. The assault is between separated spouses or persons divorced from each other and not residing together at the time of the assault.
c. The assault is between persons who are parents of the same minor child, regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time.
d. The assault is between persons who have been family or household members residing together within the past year and are not residing together at the time of the assault.
e. The assault is between persons who are in an intimate relationship or have been in an intimate relationship and have had contact within the past year of the assault. In determining whether persons are or have been in an intimate relationship, the court may consider the following nonexclusive list of factors:
(1) The duration of the relationship.
(2) The frequency of interaction.
(3) Whether the relationship has been terminated.
(4) The nature of the relationship, characterized by either party's expectation of sexual or romantic involvement.
A person may be involved in an intimate relationship with more than one person at a time.