The research examined how police perceive and respond to a hypothetical realistic domestic violence situation. The study manipulated three features of the situation: (1) the wife’s conduct (normal, hallucinating, drunken); (2) the presence of visible injuries on the wife; and (3) antagonism between the wife and husband. The participants included 107 experienced male officers, 107 rookie male offices, 21 experienced female offices, and 20 rookie female officers. Male and female police did not differ in arrest rates. However, policewomen were more likely than males to recommend shelters for battered women and less likely to recommend marriage counseling. These gender differences occurred only for experienced policewomen. Policewomen also assigned more importance to the victim’s willingness to settle the argument in their arrest decisions. Tables, notes, and 39 references (Author abstract modified)