Research (United State based) reveals that police officers are more likely to offend in cases of domestic violence than members of the general public. To explain the importance of police agencies having a specific policy on officer-involved domestic violence, two cases will be described in some detail, one in the United States (where most police officers carry firearms) and one in the United Kingdom (where the majority of officers are not armed). The author (a retired police officer with 32 years’ experience as a domestic violence intervention specialist in the US and Europe) worked closely with colleagues and family members in both incidents. Each case resulted in wide-ranging local, regional and federal changes to law enforcement and the judicial systems response to domestic violence. This article explores dynamics of officer-involved domestic violence, police attitudes that minimise perpetrator culpability resulting in increased risks to victims and recommends positive action.