The mandatory arrest policy in dual complaints with probable cause for both now applies to which aggressor?

• A. Dominant aggressor only
• B. Non-dominant aggressor only
• C. Both aggressors
• D. Neither

Answer: (A)

In dual-complaint scenarios, focus on identifying the dominant aggressor—the person who initiates the violence or exerts greater control in the relationship. When there is probable cause for both, the mandatory arrest policy directs officers to arrest the dominant aggressor rather than both parties. This targets the primary instigator and helps avoid reciprocal or dual arrests that can obscure who is actually driving the violence. To decide who is the dominant aggressor, officers look at factors such as prior violence in the relationship, level of force used, threats or intimidation, injuries, any weapon involvement, and the ongoing risk to the other person. Because the policy targets the dominant aggressor, that person is the one who should be arrested.