"Previous work on domestic violence has tended to focus on either the nature of the police response to incidents, or victim support issues. This study seeks to add to knowledge of how the police are organised internally (i.e. the systems and structures in place) to provide a service dealing specifically with domestic violence incidents. The study was undertaken in three phases between August 1997 and March 1998; 42 of the 43 forces in England and Wales participated. The main areas investigated are organisational in nature. This organisation is important as it determines the extent to which forces can provide an efficient and effective service for dealing with domestic violence. Issues such as whether forces have specialist domestic violence officers (DVOs), the scope of their role, and their position within the force are examined as factors which affect service provision. Additional factors, such as how performance is monitored and how information is passed from front-line officers to specialist DVOs, are also identified as influential in determining both the nature of the response provided and the day-to-day work of the DVO."--EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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