DOMESTIC DISTURBANCES ARE A SERIOUS POLICE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY TEND TO REPEAT AND ESCALATE INTO VIOLENCE. MOREOVER, POLICE OFFICERS WHO RESPOND TO DOMESTIC DISPUTES HAVE A HIGH CASUALTY RATE. TO PROTECT OFFICERS, THE DISPATCHER SHOULD SEND ENOUGH PEOPLE TO HANDLE THE SITUATION AND INFORM THEM OF THE PARTICULARS OF THE CASE BY OBTAINING AS MUCH INFORMATION FROM THE COMPLAINANT AS POSSIBLE. BECAUSE THE APPROACH TO THE IMMEDIATE SCENE IS DANGEROUS FOR POLICE, OFFICERS SHOULD EXAMINE THE SCENE FOR OBJECTS THAT CAN BE USED FOR COVER AND TALK TO NEIGHBORS ON THE SCENE. ONCE INSIDE THE HOME, OFFICERS SHOULD ATTEMPT TO CALM THE FAMILY, OBTAIN CLEAR AND ACCURATE INFORMATION, SHOW KINDNESS AND SYMPATHY TO BOTH PARTIES INVOLVED, AND ASSIST THE FAMILY IN OBTAINING PROFESSIONAL HELP (EMPHASIZING IMMEDIATE ACTION). CHILDREN SHOULD BE SENT TO ANOTHER ROOM OR A NEIGHBOR'S HOME WHEN INTERVIEWS WITH THE PARENTS ARE CONDUCTED. THE OVERALL OFFICER'S JOB IS TO PROVIDE 'PSYCHIATRIC FIRST AID' TO BOTH PARTIES; IF SUCCESSFUL, THE OFFICER THEN CAN REFER THE FAMILIES TO AGENCIES WHO AID FAMILIES IN RESOLVING THEIR CONFLICTS. AN INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE AND STUDY NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)