Individual sections provide offense definitions, outline police responsibilities regarding domestic violence, and discuss civil liability for failure to protect victims from harm. Specific guidelines for responding to family disturbances are also provided with emphasis on personal security, securing the scene for the safety of the disputants, conversational techniques to use and avoid, investigative procedures, and victim protection. Additional sections focus on procedures for misdemeanor arrests, victim assistance, the handling of cases of child abuse and neglect, procedures to use in spouse abuse cases, and responsibilities regarding the abuse of elderly and disabled adults. Checklists, sample report, lists of telephone numbers of community resources and protective service agencies, and map