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Domestic Violence & Police Response in British Columbia
What survivors can expect when BC police respond to domestic violence reports.
BCpolice response
CRIMINAL PROCESS
What Happens When Police Respond in British Columbia
When Police Arrive
Police responses can vary across British Columbia, but there are some common steps they may follow when called to a situation involving relationship harm or family violence.
- Initial safety check: Police may separate people, look for injuries, and remove immediate dangers (for example, weapons in plain view).
- Basic information: They may ask who is present, whether anyone needs medical help, and whether there are children or other dependants in the home.
- Individual conversations: Police may speak to each person separately to understand what has happened and whether there is an ongoing risk.
- Witness and neighbour checks: If others are nearby, police may ask what they saw or heard.
- Review of past calls: Officers may look at prior police calls to the same address or about the same individuals, if that information is available.
Police processes and priorities can differ between municipalities, Indigenous communities, and RCMP detachments in B.C. If you are unsure what to expect, you can ask the officer calmly, “Can you explain what will happen next?”
When an Arrest May Happen
Police in British Columbia typically consider arrest when they believe an offence may have happened and there is a safety risk or ongoing threat. This often includes situations of intimate partner or family violence.
- Risk and evidence: Officers may look at visible injuries, damage to property, statements from people involved, and any available messages, recordings, or other information.
- Primary aggressor: Police may try to identify who they believe is the primary aggressor, especially where more than one person reports harm.
- Immediate danger: Arrest may be more likely where there is concern about serious injury, threats, weapons, stalking, or a pattern of escalating behaviour.
- Children present: If children or other dependants are involved, officers may pay special attention to their safety and well-being.
Police decide whether to recommend criminal charges based on what they observe and the information they collect. The final decision to approve charges in B.C. is usually made by Crown counsel, not by the officer at the scene.
After Arrest: Detention or Release
After someone is arrested, police in B.C. may either hold the person for a bail (judicial interim release) hearing or release them directly with conditions. This often happens quickly, sometimes within hours.
- Held for court: In higher-risk situations, or when there are previous incidents, police may keep the person in custody to appear before a judge or justice.
- Release from the detachment: In other situations, police may release the person from the station on a form that includes conditions they must follow.
- No choice from survivor: The decision to hold or release is made by police and, when involved, the court. It does not rest solely on what a survivor wants.
Common Release Conditions and No-Contact Terms
Release paperwork can have many different conditions. These are commonly used in British Columbia where relationship harm is alleged.
- No-contact conditions: The person released may be ordered not to contact you in any way (phone, text, email, social media, or through others), except as specified.
- No-go conditions: They may be told not to attend your home, workplace, school, or other locations you regularly visit.
- Limited or structured contact: In some situations, contact may be allowed only for specific purposes, such as arranging child contact through a third party or a parenting app, if that is ordered.
- Substance use limits: Conditions may include not using alcohol or drugs, or not attending licensed establishments.
- Reporting requirements: The accused person may have to report to a bail supervisor or comply with curfew conditions.
If you are unsure about the exact conditions, you can ask police, victim services, or Crown counsel’s office (if involved) for a clear explanation. Keeping a copy or a photo of written conditions can make them easier to refer back to.
What No-Contact Conditions Mean for You
No-contact or no-go conditions are directed at the accused person, not at you. However, they can still affect your daily life and choices.
- You are not responsible for enforcing the conditions. Violations should be reported to police if it is safe to do so.
- Responding to contact: In many cases, even if you respond, the accused person may still be breaching their conditions. Your safety remains the priority.
- Unplanned contact: If you see the person somewhere by accident (for example, in a store), you may wish to leave the area if it feels safe. The accused person is usually required to remove themselves.
- Changes to conditions: Only a court (or, in limited situations, police or Crown counsel) can change criminal release conditions. Private agreements cannot override them.
If no-contact conditions are making it hard to manage parenting schedules, work, or housing, you can ask a lawyer or legal clinic about options to request changes through the court process. This information is general and not legal advice.
How Criminal Conditions Interact with BC Protection Orders
In British Columbia, there can be more than one type of order in place at the same time. A criminal release order and a civil protection order can overlap or differ.
Types of Orders You May See
- Criminal release or bail order: These conditions come from the criminal process after an arrest or charge.
- BC protection order (civil): This is usually obtained through the provincial court under B.C. family or protection laws and is separate from criminal charges.
- Family law orders: Parenting or custody/guardianship orders may also set out who can contact whom and how children will be exchanged.
If There Is Both a Criminal Order and a BC Protection Order
Sometimes, an individual can be bound by more than one order with different wording.
- Stricter terms usually control behaviour: If one order allows certain contact but another order does not, the person subject to the orders generally needs to follow the stricter terms to avoid breaching.
- Police usually enforce the criminal order first: In practice, police often focus on criminal conditions, but they may also act on breaches of a BC protection order.
- Confusing or conflicting terms: For example, a parenting order may allow exchanges of children, while a no-contact order limits communication. In these cases, the person bound by the orders may need legal advice about how to comply safely.
If you are not sure how your BC protection order and the other person’s criminal conditions fit together, it can help to bring copies of all orders to a duty counsel lawyer, legal clinic, or family justice resource for review. This site cannot provide legal advice.
Reporting Breaches and Safety Planning Around Orders
When someone does not follow their release conditions or a BC protection order, it is usually called a “breach” or “violation.”
- Calling police: If it is safe and you want police response, you can report the breach, explaining what happened and mentioning any active orders.
- Keeping records: Save messages, call logs, or details of in-person contact, where safe. These can help show a pattern of behaviour if you choose to report.
- Adjusting your safety plan: If breaches continue, you may want to update your personal safety strategies, including digital safety practices, housing, and how you move around in the community.
Additional support options across Canada, including some that are specific to British Columbia, can be found through resources listed at DV.Support. These services may offer safety planning and information but do not replace emergency services.