LESSON 3/TASK 1
because it is one of the few interior rooms that commonly has a lock. One of the disputants can safely
separate themself from the other. Even when the door is smashed, that act itself often releases some
of the pent-up tension and slows the action enough to decrease the likelihood of violence.
Usually, the highest incidence of domestic disputes occurs between 1700 and 2300. If this pattern
holds for your installation, that is the time you should have your best crisis intervention team on duty.
Domestic disputes often begin around 1700 when the husband returns home from work. It then
escalates during the evening. The hours from 2000 to 2300 generally have the highest frequency of
incidents.
Weekends, particularly Friday and Saturday nights, have the highest reported incidence of violence.
This may be due to the following three reasons:
o It was during this time that the husband did most of his drinking.
o Friday is often payday and arguments erupt over money.
o Spouses spend more time together on weekends and chances for escalation increase
accordingly.
MILITARY POLICE ROLE
The role of the MP in domestic disturbances is to restore order and prevent violence. MP are to stop
the conflict and convince the individuals to regain control of their actions. The MP ensure that all family
members are safe and have not been harmed. Incidents involving spousal abuse are to be handled in
keeping with AR 608-1. In essence, MP provide a "band-aid" to temporarily reduce the potential level
of violence. They cannot solve the root causes of the problem. All the MP can do is "buy time" until the
appropriate agencies can provide assistance.
Training
Because these situations are so delicate and dangerous, military police must be trained in methods of
handling domestic disturbances. Part of your responsibility as an NCO will be to provide this training,
and keep it current. The training includes specific skills and methods needed to handle these incidents.
Continual training is essential.
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