The domestic violence arrest decision: Examining demographic, attitudinal,and situational variables

The effects of demographic, attitudinal, and situational variables an the d omestic violence arrest decision were investigated using official data and officer attitudinal data. We examined some variables never before studied i n this context (e.g., the demographic characteristics of officers) and impr oved on the measurement of many variables (e.g., victim cooperativeness, vi ctim injury, and time of shift). Logit analyses clarified those factors tha t significantly impacted the arrest decision and identified how officers ar rive data determination of a victim's cooperativeness. The findings support ed previous research that has highlighted the importance of situational var iables in the arrest decision.