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Response to Stalking Cases: Guidelines for Law Enforcement

NCJ Number
210452
Date Published
February 2002
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This document contains statewide guidelines for California law enforcement agencies in responding to stalking, a stalking-course outline, and the Minimum Standards for Stalking Training incorporated in the POST (California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training) Administrative Manual.
Abstract
Four of the 21 guidelines for law enforcement personnel in responding to stalking pertain to their responsibility to have a thorough knowledge of all State law pertinent to stalking. A fifth guideline advises that police should have a basic understanding of a stalker personality profile. Ten guidelines focus on response and investigation. Among these guidelines are the following: Conduct a thorough investigation and threat assessment; be aware of possible ramifications of interviewing the stalking suspect; know intervention case management techniques; respond to and investigate "cyberstalking" cases; and advise the victim of protective action. Six guidelines focus on aspects of victimization. They include being aware of the stalking's impact on the victim; be aware of civil liability that may be attached to what an officer advises or does not advise a stalking victim; form a cooperative partnership with the victim; and use appropriate interview techniques with a traumatized stalking victim. The expanded course outline for a stalking training seminar addresses the following issues: the law of criminal threats, threat assessment investigative techniques, prosecution-focused investigative techniques, restraining and protective orders, mental health issues and options, firearms issues, murder for hire, cyberstalking issues, parole and probation issues, and victim issues.