NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

14.2.1 Introduction
NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Directive 14.2 – Domestic Violence Response
Domestic violence is a serious crime problem resulting in injuries and deaths every year. The
State of Ohio, in an attempt to provide solutions to this problem, has enacted specific laws
concerning domestic violence. The information and procedures outlined within this directive
describe the portions of the law which law enforcement officers are mandated to follow. Officers
need to be thoroughly familiar with statutory law as it pertains to domestic violence. Failure to
comply with the provisions in this directive may result in severe sanctions against police officers,
the New Albany Police Department, and/or the City of New Albany.
14.2.2 Definitions
As outlined in the State of Ohio’s domestic violence law, the following definitions are to be used
by police officers when enforcing domestic violence laws:
A. Family of household member
1. Any of the following that is residing or has resided with the offender:
A spouse, a person living as a spouse, or a former spouse of the
offender
A parent or child of the offender
Any other person related by consanguinity (blood) or affinity (marriage)
to the offender
A parent or child of a spouse, person living as a spouse, or former
spouse of the offender
Any other person related by consanguinity (blood) or affinity (marriage)
to a spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse of the offender
2. The natural parent of any child of whom the offender is the other natural parent.
B. Person living as a spouse
A person who is living or has lived with the offender in a common law marital relationship,
who otherwise is cohabiting with the offender, or who otherwise has cohabited with the
offender within five years prior to the date of the alleged commission of the act in
question.
C. Primary physical aggressor
The principal person using physical force against another, other than the reasonable
force exerted as an act of self-defense.
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