Domestic violence calls
can place police in danger

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Dec. 14, 2003
Detective Dean Harper with the Meridian Police Department said law officers spend a lot of time answering domestic disturbance calls and can put themselves in danger doing so.
Harper said that an argument between a couple or between a parent and a child doesn't constitute domestic abuse. But he said if one person hits another person or threatens bodily harm, they will be arrested.
MPD Assistant Chief Keith McCary said when someone is arrested for domestic violence, he or she must spend 12 hours in jail to "cool off."
McCary said in some situations officers become involved in dangerous situations when answering domestic disturbance calls.