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<br /> <br />Policy & Procedure Page 1 of 10 <br /> <br />Lexington Police <br />Department <br />Subject: <br /> <br /> <br />Policy Number: <br /> 41R Accreditation Standards: <br />Reference: Effective Date: <br />12/1/10 <br /> New <br /> Revised <br />Revision <br />Dates: <br />1/24/19 <br /> <br />By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police <br /> <br /> GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES <br /> <br />Chapter 23 of the Acts of 2010 was enacted to address issues of harassment and <br />abuse under the newly created Chapter 258E of the Massachusetts General Laws. <br />This legislation provides protections to classes of people, not previously protected <br />under Chapter 209A or under workplace harassment laws, because of limitations <br />included within those statutes. Chapter 258E provides options for those previously <br />unprotected persons. <br /> <br />Chapter 258E is similar to Chapter 209A but does not provide a statutory right of arrest <br />for harassment and abuse. However, a violation of a harassment and abuse court <br />order is arrestable. Victim rights and police officer duties are very similar to those <br />defined under M.G.L. Chapter 209A. Officers dealing with any harassment and/or <br />abuse incident must be sure to consider the relationship between the victim and abuser <br />and be sure not to confuse the enforcement options of this statute with those of Chapter <br />209A. <br /> <br />It is the policy of the Lexington Police Department to assist victims of harassment and <br />abuse pursuant to Chapter 258E of the Massachusetts General Laws. <br /> <br />PROCEDURES <br /> <br />A. Definitions <br /> <br />1. Abuse:i <br /> <br />a. Attempting to cause or causing physical harm; <br />b. Placing another in fear of imminent physical harm. <br /> <br />2. Harassment:ii <br /> <br />a. Three (3) or more acts of willful and malicious conduct: <br />