Domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous for a police officer. Some departments have required officers to wait for backup before engaging the parties at the scene. These highly charged incidents have major effects on a person’s ability to cope, and often will result in a crisis situation. They can lead to a violent confrontation between officers and subjects or between subjects. Respond to the following: Why do departments require an officer to wait for backup before answering a domestic violence call? What should an officer look for in the situation to determine risk of violence and aggression?