Domestic Violence & Police Response in Newfoundland and Labrador
What survivors may expect when NL police respond to a domestic violence report.
When Police Respond in a Relationship Violence Situation
When Police First Arrive
When police come to a home or location after a relationship violence call, their first priority is general safety. Their steps may vary by province or territory, but often include:
- Separating people involved so they can speak to each person privately
- Checking for immediate injuries and calling medical help if needed
- Looking for weapons or items that could be used as weapons
- Making sure any children or other dependents are somewhere safer, if possible
- Getting basic information about what happened and who is present
Police may ask short, direct questions at first. Longer statements can sometimes be taken later, once things are calmer and safer.
In many parts of Canada, if police believe a criminal offence like assault has happened, they may be required by their policies to lay charges. This decision is usually made by police or a prosecutor, not the person who called.
Scene Safety Steps Police May Take
Depending on what they find, police may take steps such as:
- Removing a person from the home for a period of time
- Seizing weapons or firearms under public safety laws
- Calling child protection if they are concerned about a child’s safety
- Calling a victim services worker or crisis team where available
- Arranging transportation to a shelter, hospital, or other safer place when possible
If there is an existing court order (like a no-contact order, peace bond, or Emergency Protection Order), police may check their systems to see if it is in place and what the terms are.
If it feels safe, you can ask police for the file number for the call and where to follow up for more information later.
Arrest, Release, and What They Mean
Police responses can lead to different outcomes. In plain language, some common ones include:
When Police Arrest Someone
Police may arrest a person if they believe there are legal grounds, such as:
- They believe an assault or other crime has happened
- They are concerned the behaviour will continue or get worse
- They need to protect someone’s safety, including children
- They need to make sure the person comes to court
If a person is arrested, police may:
- Hold them in custody for a bail hearing (a judge or justice decides if they are released and under what conditions)
- Or release them directly from the station with written conditions
Release Without Conditions
Sometimes police or the court may release a person without specific conditions. This can happen if:
- The offence is considered lower risk
- Police believe there is not enough risk to require conditions
- A prosecutor or justice of the peace decides conditions are not needed
Even if there are no conditions, general criminal laws and any existing family or civil orders still apply.
Release With Conditions
More commonly in relationship-violence cases, release comes with written conditions, such as:
- No contact with a specific person
- No going to specific places (like a home, workplace, or school)
- No use of alcohol or drugs, if these are linked to risk
- No firearms or weapons, and sometimes turning in existing weapons
- Reporting to a police station at certain times
Conditions usually start as soon as the person signs them or as ordered by the court. You can ask police or a victim services worker to explain what the conditions mean in everyday language.
Understanding No-Contact Terms
No-contact terms are rules that say one person is not allowed to contact another person in certain ways. These can appear in different types of orders, including criminal release conditions, peace bonds, and Emergency Protection Orders (EPOs) or similar protection orders.
Common No-Contact Rules
No-contact terms can include limits such as:
- No in-person contact (not allowed to come close to you in person)
- No phone calls, texts, emails, or messages through apps
- No contact through social media, including comments or “likes”
- No contact through other people, unless a court has given very specific permission (for example, sometimes for limited parenting communication)
- No going to your home, workplace, school, or other listed locations
Some orders allow limited, specific contact for parenting or practical matters. These details should be written into the order if they apply.
If you receive a copy of any order or conditions, keeping a photo or scanned copy in a safe place (or with a trusted person) can make it easier to show police if needed.
If No-Contact Terms Are Broken
Breaking (breaching) no-contact terms is usually a separate criminal offence. Police decide how to respond based on the situation, the province or territory, and local policies. Responses can include:
- Coming to check on your safety
- Investigating and possibly laying new charges
- Arresting the person if there are grounds
You can tell police about any breaches and share any proof you have, such as screenshots, call logs, or witness names, if it feels safe to do so.
How Emergency Protection Orders (EPOs) Work With Police
Emergency Protection Orders (EPOs) or similar emergency family-violence protection orders exist in several provinces and territories, but the name and process can be different in each region. In general, they:
- Are civil or family-law orders, not criminal charges
- Are designed to be obtained quickly when there is urgent safety concern
- Can set rules such as who can stay in the home, no-contact terms, and distance requirements
The availability and details of EPOs and similar orders are different across Canada. Local legal clinics, community agencies, or victim services can explain options where you live.
How Police Use an EPO on Scene
If there is an EPO or similar order in place and police are called, they may:
- Confirm the order in their system or by contacting a court office
- Read the conditions to understand what is allowed and not allowed
- Enforce the terms, which can include removing a person from the home
- Consider laying criminal charges if they believe the order was breached
In many regions, breaching an EPO can lead to criminal charges or other penalties. How this is handled depends on local law and policy.
EPOs and Criminal Charges Together
An EPO can exist at the same time as criminal charges or release conditions. This can create layers of rules:
- The criminal conditions (from bail, probation, or a peace bond) are enforced by police as criminal law.
- The EPO or similar protection order is enforced as a civil or family-law order, and breaching it can also have serious consequences.
Sometimes the terms can overlap or be slightly different. For example, an EPO might allow brief text contact about children, while criminal bail conditions might say “no contact at all.” In most situations, the stricter condition is treated as the one to follow, but this can be complex.
If different orders seem to conflict, it can help to ask a duty counsel, legal clinic, or community legal service to explain how they usually work together in your province or territory. Police and victim services may also explain how they typically enforce overlapping orders.
Staying Informed About Your Situation
If police lay charges or an EPO is granted, you can usually:
- Ask for a police file number and the investigating officer’s name or badge number
- Ask whether victim services are available to explain the process in more detail
- Request copies of any orders that affect your safety, when possible
Additional support options across Canada, including information on safety planning and legal supports, are listed at DV.Support.