______ % of officers killed at DVs are responding when the victim is leaving; ______ % are killed on the initial approach; ______ % are killed trying to control the situation.

• A. 75% are responding when the victim is leaving; 50% on the initial approach; 20% while trying to control the situation
• B. 25% are leaving; 60% initial; 5% control
• C. 60% leaving; 40% initial; 25% control
• D. 80% leaving; 20% initial; 40% control

Answer: (A)

The situation in domestic violence calls is most dangerous at specific moments, and statistics show how risk is distributed across those moments. The largest share of officer fatalities occurs while the officer is responding to a scene where the victim is leaving, about three-quarters of such deaths. This is followed by a high risk during the initial approach into the scene, roughly half of the fatalities. Fewer fatalities happen during the attempt to control or subdue the situation, around one-fifth.

Why that order makes sense: when the victim is leaving, the scene may still hold the offender, weapons could be present, and the officer is approaching a potentially unstable, evolving scenario with limited warning. During the initial approach, the officer faces an unpredictable environment—unknown numbers of people, weapons, and high emotional volatility—which can lead to a sudden ambush. Once officers are attempting to control the situation, the risk is still real due to resistance or surprise, but the encounter has often progressed to a point where backup and communication can reduce unknowns compared to the moment of arrival or the moment of departure.

This breakdown highlights why training emphasizes protective tactics, backup, delay when possible, using cover, verbal de-escalation, and careful scene assessment before making contact, especially in domestic violence calls.