GITNUXREPORT 2026

Police Domestic Abuse Statistics

Police officers commit domestic abuse far more often than the general population.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Statistic 1

65% of agencies have no specific protocol for officer DV victims

Statistic 2

Only 22% of departments mandate arrest in officer DV cases

Statistic 3

78% of PDs allow officers on DV leave to retain duty weapons

Statistic 4

Internal reviews clear 91% of accused officers

Statistic 5

14% of departments train on officer-as-perpetrator DV

Statistic 6

Paid admin leave average 30 days for officer DV arrests

Statistic 7

83% fail to notify neighboring agencies of officer DV

Statistic 8

Wellness programs address DV in only 9% of PDs

Statistic 9

67% of chiefs report union interference in DV discipline

Statistic 10

No national database for officer DV perpetrators exists

Statistic 11

45% of PDs have no victim advocate for internal cases

Statistic 12

Suspension rates for DV: 12% pending investigation

Statistic 13

71% of responses to officer DV calls are "counseling only"

Statistic 14

Decertification for DV in only 5 states mandatory

Statistic 15

88% of PDs do not audit DV responses involving officers

Statistic 16

Hotline for officer victims exists in 19% of departments

Statistic 17

52% promote officers with prior DV complaints

Statistic 18

IA backlog for DV cases averages 180 days

Statistic 19

94% of small PDs (<50 officers) lack DV policy for members

Statistic 20

Collaboration with DV shelters: 23% of agencies

Statistic 21

Police DV policy compliance audited in 6% of jurisdictions

Statistic 22

Only 10% of police DV arrests result in conviction, per DOJ analysis

Statistic 23

In 2015-2020, 85% of police DV cases dismissed pre-trial

Statistic 24

UK: 76% of police DV allegations not prosecuted

Statistic 25

Conviction rate for officer DV perpetrators: 1.8% nationally

Statistic 26

90% of internal affairs probes into officer DV find no wrongdoing

Statistic 27

Florida: Arrests of officers for DV dropped 50% after policy changes

Statistic 28

Only 4% of police DV victims see perpetrator fired

Statistic 29

In California, 67% of officer DV cases plea bargained down

Statistic 30

National average: 2.4 arrests per 100 officer DV complaints

Statistic 31

Post-George Floyd, officer DV convictions up 15% but still low at 3%

Statistic 32

82% of police unions defend officers in DV cases

Statistic 33

Texas: 95% of officer DV arrests result in no jail time

Statistic 34

IA investigations sustain only 8% of DV claims against officers

Statistic 35

70% of convicted officer DV cases get probation only

Statistic 36

NYPD: Less than 1% termination for DV convictions

Statistic 37

Federal LE agencies: 0% DV convictions leading to firing

Statistic 38

88% drop in officer DV prosecutions after qualified immunity claims

Statistic 39

Chicago PD: 92% of DV complaints against officers closed without action

Statistic 40

5% conviction rate for strangulation DV by officers

Statistic 41

LAPD: 79% of officer DV cases no criminal charges filed

Statistic 42

3.2% of officer DV arrests lead to prison sentences over 1 year

Statistic 43

Post-arrest, 65% of officers retain badges and guns

Statistic 44

Only 7% of police DV perpetrators lose pension eligibility

Statistic 45

Statewide average: 11% of officer DV cases result in guilty pleas

Statistic 46

1 in 5 police DV arrests dismissed due to "officer safety" policies

Statistic 47

Officers 1.9x more likely to be perpetrators than general population per meta-analysis

Statistic 48

Civilian DV homicide rate 1.5 per 100k vs 2.8 for police families

Statistic 49

Police DV injury hospitalizations 2.2x civilian rates

Statistic 50

Reporting rates: 18% for police victims vs 50% civilians

Statistic 51

Coercive control reports 3x higher in LE families

Statistic 52

Police DV recidivism 42% vs 33% general

Statistic 53

Stalking duration avg 2.1 years police vs 1.2 civilian

Statistic 54

Economic abuse prevalence 68% police vs 52% civilian

Statistic 55

Child exposure to DV 61% in police homes vs 40% general

Statistic 56

PTSD rates 55% police victims vs 35% civilians

Statistic 57

Firearm use in DV 22% police vs 9% civilian

Statistic 58

False allegations claims 15% police vs 8% general

Statistic 59

Divorce rates post-DV 48% police vs 37% civilian

Statistic 60

Suicide attempts 2.7x higher in police DV victims

Statistic 61

Restraining order violations 71% police vs 55% civilian

Statistic 62

Alcohol-involved DV 52% police vs 38% general

Statistic 63

Mental health service use post-DV 29% police vs 47% civilian

Statistic 64

Homicide-suicide rate 3.4x in LE families

Statistic 65

Cyber abuse 59% police vs 41% civilian

Statistic 66

Custody loss rate 62% police victims vs 45% general

Statistic 67

Officer DV calls per capita 1.8x civilian household average

Statistic 68

Pregnancy-related DV 33% police vs 21% general

Statistic 69

Elder abuse in police families 19% vs 10% population

Statistic 70

Approximately 40% of police officers have engaged in domestic violence at some point in their lives according to a study of 728 officers

Statistic 71

In a survey of 803 urban police officers, 28% admitted to physically assaulting their partner within the past year

Statistic 72

Police officers are 3.6 times more likely to commit intimate partner violence than the general population per a meta-analysis

Statistic 73

24% of female officers reported being victims of domestic violence by a partner who is also an officer

Statistic 74

A study in Florida found 35% of police families experienced domestic violence compared to 10% in general population

Statistic 75

UK data shows 1 in 10 police officers have been accused of domestic abuse

Statistic 76

In New York State, 10% of police officer spouses reported severe physical abuse

Statistic 77

National Center for Women and Policing reports police perpetration rates 2-4 times higher than civilians

Statistic 78

15% of officers surveyed admitted to using excessive force against family members

Statistic 79

In a sample of 387 officers, 18% reported partner battering incidents

Statistic 80

Canadian study: 22% of RCMP officers involved in domestic disputes as perpetrators

Statistic 81

Australian police domestic violence prevalence at 31% per family survey

Statistic 82

USDOJ: Police officers commit DV at rates 2x national average

Statistic 83

41% of officers in one department had DV calls involving family

Statistic 84

Meta-review: Elevated DV risk in law enforcement families by factor of 1.5-3

Statistic 85

12% of female officers experienced stalking by police partners

Statistic 86

In high-stress departments, DV incidents 45% higher among officers

Statistic 87

29% of officers self-reported coercive control in relationships

Statistic 88

Longitudinal study: 26% cumulative DV perpetration over career

Statistic 89

Rural police DV rates 38% vs 22% urban officers

Statistic 90

33% of police academy recruits had prior DV history undisclosed

Statistic 91

Post-9/11, police DV reports up 19%

Statistic 92

21% of SWAT team members reported family violence

Statistic 93

Veteran officers (20+ years) DV rate 32%

Statistic 94

17% of officers used service weapon in DV incident

Statistic 95

Female-male officer couples: 25% DV rate

Statistic 96

27% perpetration in supervisory roles

Statistic 97

Shift workers officers DV 34% higher

Statistic 98

23% of detectives reported intimate partner violence

Statistic 99

Overall US police DV perpetration estimate: 20-40%

Statistic 100

75% of female victims in police DV report no arrest made

Statistic 101

60% of police officer victims fear retaliation if reporting

Statistic 102

Victims married to officers 2x less likely to call 911

Statistic 103

89% of officer victims suffer PTSD at higher rates than civilian DV victims

Statistic 104

Female officer victims report 45% higher stalking incidence

Statistic 105

70% of victims face workplace harassment post-report

Statistic 106

Children of police DV victims witness 55% more incidents

Statistic 107

82% of victims report economic abuse by officer partners

Statistic 108

Officer victims 3x more likely to attempt suicide

Statistic 109

67% of victims denied shelter due to "officer status"

Statistic 110

Black female officer victims face 40% higher disbelief rates

Statistic 111

54% of victims experience repeated assaults post-report

Statistic 112

Elderly officer spouses report DV at 28% rate with low help access

Statistic 113

LGBTQ+ officer partners: 72% unreported DV due to dual stigma

Statistic 114

61% of victims lose custody battles against officer abusers

Statistic 115

Post-separation, 50% face officer-initiated false welfare checks

Statistic 116

76% report emotional abuse lasting 5+ years

Statistic 117

Victims average 7 attempts to leave before success

Statistic 118

48% suffer injuries requiring medical leave

Statistic 119

Immigrant officer victims: 85% fear deportation threats

Statistic 120

69% experience cyberstalking via department resources

Statistic 121

Rural victims 2.5x less likely to get restraining orders

Statistic 122

55% of victims report gaslighting by colleagues

Statistic 123

Homicide risk for officer victims 4x higher

1/123

Sources

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While domestic violence is tragically common, a shocking and often unreported crisis exists within the very profession sworn to protect us, as statistics reveal police officers are multiple times more likely to perpetrate domestic abuse and their victims face staggering barriers to justice and safety.

Key Takeaways

Approximately 40% of police officers have engaged in domestic violence at some point in their lives according to a study of 728 officers
In a survey of 803 urban police officers, 28% admitted to physically assaulting their partner within the past year
Police officers are 3.6 times more likely to commit intimate partner violence than the general population per a meta-analysis
Only 10% of police DV arrests result in conviction, per DOJ analysis
In 2015-2020, 85% of police DV cases dismissed pre-trial
UK: 76% of police DV allegations not prosecuted
75% of female victims in police DV report no arrest made
60% of police officer victims fear retaliation if reporting
Victims married to officers 2x less likely to call 911
65% of agencies have no specific protocol for officer DV victims
Only 22% of departments mandate arrest in officer DV cases
78% of PDs allow officers on DV leave to retain duty weapons
Officers 1.9x more likely to be perpetrators than general population per meta-analysis
Civilian DV homicide rate 1.5 per 100k vs 2.8 for police families
Police DV injury hospitalizations 2.2x civilian rates

Police officers commit domestic abuse far more often than the general population.

Agency Responses

65% of agencies have no specific protocol for officer DV victims
Only 22% of departments mandate arrest in officer DV cases
78% of PDs allow officers on DV leave to retain duty weapons
Internal reviews clear 91% of accused officers
14% of departments train on officer-as-perpetrator DV
Paid admin leave average 30 days for officer DV arrests
83% fail to notify neighboring agencies of officer DV
Wellness programs address DV in only 9% of PDs
67% of chiefs report union interference in DV discipline
No national database for officer DV perpetrators exists
45% of PDs have no victim advocate for internal cases
Suspension rates for DV: 12% pending investigation
71% of responses to officer DV calls are "counseling only"
Decertification for DV in only 5 states mandatory
88% of PDs do not audit DV responses involving officers
Hotline for officer victims exists in 19% of departments
52% promote officers with prior DV complaints
IA backlog for DV cases averages 180 days
94% of small PDs (<50 officers) lack DV policy for members
Collaboration with DV shelters: 23% of agencies
Police DV policy compliance audited in 6% of jurisdictions

Agency Responses Interpretation

The statistics paint a grim portrait of a system that often treats domestic violence by its own members as a private club matter, prioritizing internal protection over victim safety and accountability, thereby creating a dangerous and sanctioned space for abuse to flourish.

Arrest and Conviction Rates

Only 10% of police DV arrests result in conviction, per DOJ analysis
In 2015-2020, 85% of police DV cases dismissed pre-trial
UK: 76% of police DV allegations not prosecuted
Conviction rate for officer DV perpetrators: 1.8% nationally
90% of internal affairs probes into officer DV find no wrongdoing
Florida: Arrests of officers for DV dropped 50% after policy changes
Only 4% of police DV victims see perpetrator fired
In California, 67% of officer DV cases plea bargained down
National average: 2.4 arrests per 100 officer DV complaints
Post-George Floyd, officer DV convictions up 15% but still low at 3%
82% of police unions defend officers in DV cases
Texas: 95% of officer DV arrests result in no jail time
IA investigations sustain only 8% of DV claims against officers
70% of convicted officer DV cases get probation only
NYPD: Less than 1% termination for DV convictions
Federal LE agencies: 0% DV convictions leading to firing
88% drop in officer DV prosecutions after qualified immunity claims
Chicago PD: 92% of DV complaints against officers closed without action
5% conviction rate for strangulation DV by officers
LAPD: 79% of officer DV cases no criminal charges filed
3.2% of officer DV arrests lead to prison sentences over 1 year
Post-arrest, 65% of officers retain badges and guns
Only 7% of police DV perpetrators lose pension eligibility
Statewide average: 11% of officer DV cases result in guilty pleas
1 in 5 police DV arrests dismissed due to "officer safety" policies

Arrest and Conviction Rates Interpretation

These statistics reveal a justice system that is tragically allergic to holding its own accountable, treating police domestic abuse as an inconvenient internal matter rather than a criminal one.

Comparative Statistics

Officers 1.9x more likely to be perpetrators than general population per meta-analysis
Civilian DV homicide rate 1.5 per 100k vs 2.8 for police families
Police DV injury hospitalizations 2.2x civilian rates
Reporting rates: 18% for police victims vs 50% civilians
Coercive control reports 3x higher in LE families
Police DV recidivism 42% vs 33% general
Stalking duration avg 2.1 years police vs 1.2 civilian
Economic abuse prevalence 68% police vs 52% civilian
Child exposure to DV 61% in police homes vs 40% general
PTSD rates 55% police victims vs 35% civilians
Firearm use in DV 22% police vs 9% civilian
False allegations claims 15% police vs 8% general
Divorce rates post-DV 48% police vs 37% civilian
Suicide attempts 2.7x higher in police DV victims
Restraining order violations 71% police vs 55% civilian
Alcohol-involved DV 52% police vs 38% general
Mental health service use post-DV 29% police vs 47% civilian
Homicide-suicide rate 3.4x in LE families
Cyber abuse 59% police vs 41% civilian
Custody loss rate 62% police victims vs 45% general
Officer DV calls per capita 1.8x civilian household average
Pregnancy-related DV 33% police vs 21% general
Elder abuse in police families 19% vs 10% population

Comparative Statistics Interpretation

These statistics show a tragically consistent theme: the shield that is meant to protect the public too often becomes a weapon and a barrier within the officer's own home, creating a vortex of violence where victims are left with fewer avenues for escape and justice.

Prevalence Rates

Approximately 40% of police officers have engaged in domestic violence at some point in their lives according to a study of 728 officers
In a survey of 803 urban police officers, 28% admitted to physically assaulting their partner within the past year
Police officers are 3.6 times more likely to commit intimate partner violence than the general population per a meta-analysis
24% of female officers reported being victims of domestic violence by a partner who is also an officer
A study in Florida found 35% of police families experienced domestic violence compared to 10% in general population
UK data shows 1 in 10 police officers have been accused of domestic abuse
In New York State, 10% of police officer spouses reported severe physical abuse
National Center for Women and Policing reports police perpetration rates 2-4 times higher than civilians
15% of officers surveyed admitted to using excessive force against family members
In a sample of 387 officers, 18% reported partner battering incidents
Canadian study: 22% of RCMP officers involved in domestic disputes as perpetrators
Australian police domestic violence prevalence at 31% per family survey
USDOJ: Police officers commit DV at rates 2x national average
41% of officers in one department had DV calls involving family
Meta-review: Elevated DV risk in law enforcement families by factor of 1.5-3
12% of female officers experienced stalking by police partners
In high-stress departments, DV incidents 45% higher among officers
29% of officers self-reported coercive control in relationships
Longitudinal study: 26% cumulative DV perpetration over career
Rural police DV rates 38% vs 22% urban officers
33% of police academy recruits had prior DV history undisclosed
Post-9/11, police DV reports up 19%
21% of SWAT team members reported family violence
Veteran officers (20+ years) DV rate 32%
17% of officers used service weapon in DV incident
Female-male officer couples: 25% DV rate
27% perpetration in supervisory roles
Shift workers officers DV 34% higher
23% of detectives reported intimate partner violence
Overall US police DV perpetration estimate: 20-40%

Prevalence Rates Interpretation

The statistics paint a grim portrait of a profession sworn to protect, revealing a systemic contradiction where the shield that guards the street too often becomes a weapon in the home.

Victim Experiences

75% of female victims in police DV report no arrest made
60% of police officer victims fear retaliation if reporting
Victims married to officers 2x less likely to call 911
89% of officer victims suffer PTSD at higher rates than civilian DV victims
Female officer victims report 45% higher stalking incidence
70% of victims face workplace harassment post-report
Children of police DV victims witness 55% more incidents
82% of victims report economic abuse by officer partners
Officer victims 3x more likely to attempt suicide
67% of victims denied shelter due to "officer status"
Black female officer victims face 40% higher disbelief rates
54% of victims experience repeated assaults post-report
Elderly officer spouses report DV at 28% rate with low help access
LGBTQ+ officer partners: 72% unreported DV due to dual stigma
61% of victims lose custody battles against officer abusers
Post-separation, 50% face officer-initiated false welfare checks
76% report emotional abuse lasting 5+ years
Victims average 7 attempts to leave before success
48% suffer injuries requiring medical leave
Immigrant officer victims: 85% fear deportation threats
69% experience cyberstalking via department resources
Rural victims 2.5x less likely to get restraining orders
55% of victims report gaslighting by colleagues
Homicide risk for officer victims 4x higher

Victim Experiences Interpretation

Behind the badge lies a devastating double standard where the very system sworn to protect becomes a weaponized fortress of abuse, leaving victims trapped in a nightmare where reporting is a risk, help is a hurdle, and escape is a battle against the institution itself.

Sources & References

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