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Domestic Violence & Police Response in the Northwest Territories

What survivors may expect when NWT police respond to domestic violence situations.

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WORKING WITH POLICE

What Happens When Police Get Involved in Relationship Violence

When Police First Arrive

Police response can look different depending on the province or territory, local policies, and the specific situation. The steps below describe common patterns, not exact procedures.

Check immediate safety. Police usually look for injuries, weapons, and anyone in urgent danger. They may separate people to speak privately.
Ask basic questions. Each person may be asked what happened, who lives in the home, and whether there have been past incidents.
Look around the area. Officers may briefly look at the space for signs of damage, weapons, or other safety concerns.
Call medical help if needed. If someone appears injured, police may call paramedics or suggest going to a hospital.
Check for existing orders. Police may check if there are any current no-contact orders, protection orders, bail conditions, or family court orders.

Police decisions are guided by criminal law, provincial/territorial policies, and their assessment of risk. They do not decide family law issues like custody or property division on the spot.

How Police Decide About Arrest

Police in Canada often follow “mandatory” or “pro-charging” policies in relationship violence cases. This means they may lay charges and arrest if they believe a crime has happened, even if the person harmed does not want charges.

Situations Where Arrest Is More Likely

Police believe there is enough evidence that an offence occurred (for example, threats, assault, or property damage)
There are visible injuries or damage
There is a history of reported incidents or past charges
There is concern that the person may hurt someone again soon
There are weapons or serious threats involved
The person does not follow an existing order or condition (such as a no-contact term)

Officers usually decide whether to arrest based on the “reasonable grounds” standard. This is a legal test that means they believe, based on what they see and hear, that an offence was likely committed.

Arrest vs. Release: What That Can Look Like

After an arrest, police and sometimes a justice official (such as a justice of the peace or judge) decide what happens next. Outcomes can vary by province or territory.

Common Options After Arrest

Held for a bail hearing. The person may stay in custody for a short time until a bail hearing, often within 24 hours, where conditions may be set.
Released by police with conditions. The person may be let go from the station with written conditions they must follow (for example, not contacting certain people or not going to certain places).
Released without conditions. In some situations, the person may be released with a promise to appear in court later, and no added conditions.

Factors That Can Affect Release Decisions

The seriousness of the alleged offence
Any past criminal record or past breaches of conditions
Whether the person has stable housing or ties to the community
Whether the person is likely to come back to court
Risk to the safety of specific people or the public

A release decision does not mean the situation is “not serious.” It only reflects how the justice system is choosing to manage the case at that time.

Understanding No-Contact Terms

No-contact terms are rules set by a court or other authority that say one person must not contact another person in certain ways. These terms can appear in different types of documents, depending on the province or territory.

Where No-Contact Terms Might Appear

Police release conditions. Written rules given when someone is released from custody.
Bail conditions. Terms set by a court when someone is released while charges are being dealt with.
Protection orders or emergency protection orders (EPOs). Civil (non-criminal) orders from a court that focus on safety.
Probation orders. Conditions imposed after a person is found guilty and sentenced.
Family court orders. Orders about parenting time, communication, or pick-up and drop-off arrangements.

Common Types of No-Contact Rules

No direct contact. No calls, texts, emails, messages, or in-person contact.
No indirect contact. No messages through friends, family, or social media, except what is clearly allowed.
Stay-away conditions. Not going to certain addresses, workplaces, schools, or neighbourhoods.
Limited contact exceptions. In some orders, contact only through a lawyer, a supervised service, or for specific child-related matters may be permitted.

If an order or condition feels confusing, it can help to read it slowly, line by line, and write down questions. A legal clinic, duty counsel, or community organization may be able to help explain the wording.

How Police Usually Respond to No-Contact Terms

Police can only enforce orders and conditions they are aware of and that are legally in effect. Practices can differ by region.

Checking the order. Police may look up the order in their system or ask to see a copy.
Looking at what the order allows. If an order allows certain kinds of contact (for example, only for child exchanges), officers consider that wording.
Assessing a breach. Police consider whether the no-contact term has been broken and, if so, if charges for “breach” or similar offences may be appropriate.
Taking safety steps. Even if they do not lay charges, officers may warn the person, document the incident, or suggest safety planning.

Keeping a copy (paper or digital) of any order or conditions, when safe to do so, can make it easier to show police exactly what is in place.

Emergency Protection Orders (EPOs) and Police

Some provinces and territories have Emergency Protection Orders (EPOs) or similar urgent protection orders under their own laws. The names and details differ across Canada.

When an EPO Is Granted

EPOs are usually short-term, emergency orders that focus on immediate safety.
They may be granted without the other person being present (also called “ex parte”) in some regions.
Conditions may include removal from the home, no-contact terms, or stay-away zones.

How Police Typically Interact With an EPO

Serving the EPO. Police or a designated official may deliver (“serve”) the EPO to the person it is made against so they know about the conditions.
Enforcing the terms. If police believe the EPO has been breached, they may lay charges or take other steps, depending on local laws.
Removing someone from a residence. If the EPO says a person must leave the home, officers may attend while that person gathers basic belongings.
Coordinating with other orders. Police sometimes have to look at EPOs alongside bail conditions, probation orders, or family court orders.

If different orders seem to conflict (for example, one order allows limited contact for child exchanges while another says no contact at all), police may focus on the strictest safety-related condition. Getting legal information from a local clinic or duty counsel can help clarify next steps.

How EPOs and Police Procedures Affect Everyday Contact

When an EPO or no-contact condition is in place, everyday situations can become more complicated, especially if children, shared housing, or workspaces are involved.

Shared housing. Some EPOs may give one person exclusive possession of the home for a time. Police may attend if the other person tries to return against the order.
Child contact and exchanges. If a family court order allows parenting time but a no-contact term limits communication, police may suggest neutral locations or third-party support, but they cannot redesign court orders on the spot.
Unexpected contact. If the other person shows up somewhere covered by the order, police may assess whether it was accidental or deliberate and respond according to local policy.
Digital contact. Messages, calls, social media contact, or indirect contact through others can sometimes count as a breach of no-contact terms, depending on how the order is written.

Documenting Concerns and Interactions

Keeping basic records, when safe, can sometimes support safety planning and any future processes.

Dates, times, and brief notes about concerning incidents
Screenshots or logs of messages that may break no-contact terms
Names or badge numbers of officers involved, if you have them
Copies of any orders or conditions, including updates or changes

If saving documents or screenshots could increase your risk (for example, if the other person checks your devices), consider if there is a safer place to store them or if it is safer not to keep them at all. For more ideas, see digital safety resources or local support services.

Getting More Information and Support

Police processes, EPO rules, and no-contact terms can feel complex and may differ between regions. Community legal clinics, victim services, and newcomer support organizations can sometimes help explain local procedures in plain language.

Additional support options across Canada, including information on local services, can be found through resources listed at DV.Support.