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About Abuse

When the Abuser is in Law Enforcement

Updated: May 9, 2024

How may the abuser use his/her rank or power as an officer to intimidate me?

There are many ways an officer may use his/her rank or status to intimidate you. Some examples are:

  • standing in uniform while placing a hand on his/her gun;
  • giving you “The Look” like s/he knows everything you are up to and with whom;
  • letting you know that s/he is always watching you by showing up at unpredictable times and locations;
  • driving by your home or workplace while on duty;
  • making you check with him/her before leaving the house; and
  • firing his/her gun without ammunition in it (“dry firing”) or cleaning his/her weapons in front of you.1

1 Betraying the Badge: Officer-Involved Domestic Violence Webinar (2014), AEquitas

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