When the Abuser is in Law Enforcement

Police officers often rely on their colleagues for support and social connections. This creates a tight-knit “law enforcement family.” If the person abusing you is an officer, you may feel isolated within a closed social circle. You may be wary of telling someone in the department about the abuse. You may worry that the abuser and others will find out and take revenge against you. You may also worry about the abuser losing his/her job, especially if you depend on him/her financially. (You may have similar concerns if the abuser is a court officer or works in the court system.)

When a victim decides to report the abuse, two pathways could open up when the abuser is in law enforcement: one is the criminal justice process and the other is the police department’s internal disciplinary process. Unfortunately, police culture and relationships among officers may also limit how the department responds. Other officers may be slow to discipline or investigate the abuser. You may even face resistance from the prosecutor’s office to hold the abuser accountable since the police and prosecutors often have close ties.

Therefore, if you choose to report a crime, like many survivors, you may need to provide all the details of the abuse to get the officers to believe your account of what happened instead of the abuser’s. You may face extra pressure to tell about the abuse clearly and accurately. This means describing in detail the forms of abuse you experienced. You may also need to explain how the abuser used his/her rank and power to control and intimidate you.

However, it’s quite common that people who have experienced violence and abuse often downplay the severity of what happened. This is especially common when talking to someone who seems intimidating, like a police chief, investigator, or prosecutor.¹ You may wish to get support from a domestic violence organization. Their advocates may help you design a personalized safety plan that takes into account any additional risks that you may face once you report the abuse. You could even ask a domestic violence advocate to come with you to the police station when you decide to make the report. You can find help by going to Advocates and Shelters and choosing your state from the drop-down menu.

¹ When the batterer is a law enforcement officer: A guide for advocates (2004), Battered Women’s Justice Project