One of the most frequent calls for service to which police officers respond are incidents of domestic violence. Domestic violence calls are some of the most unpredictable, and sometimes among the most dangerous types of calls for service that police officers must address. Officers often arrive in situations that are highly emotional and unpredictable. Police officers are provided extensive training in domestic violence, and with addressing both aggressors and victims. Officers also gain a great deal of expertise through experience in addressing conflicts.
In recent years there have been calls from anti-police groups that the police should be defunded, and trained social workers and specialists should instead be utilized to address incidents of domestic violence. What do you think? Are social workers best qualified to handle both the immediate potential for violence, and the long-term sensitive family and relationship matters?