You are going to be under arrest for domestic battery. Okay. So, can you you going to put your bag down? >> Getting arrested? >> Yes, ma'am. >> For just a little push. >> Yep. >> I got to tell my parents. >> This is one of the rare circumstances where I feel really bad arresting people because obviously you're a good person >> and you called and everything. I get it. >> So, you're going to have an opportunity to make a phone call >> and we can't do it right now. >> Got to guys. I don't have nobody here in the US. >> You have a chance. >> Hey Joe, just put your hands on Put your hands on top of your head for me. Okay. >> Very respectful with you. We're going to make it as easy as we can. You've done very respectful. I can tell you're a good person like I said. Sorry. >> A domestic disturbance call quickly turns into a complex investigation as officers respond to a woman who says she's finally reached her breaking point after repeated conflicts with her boyfriend. >> But the voice you okay? >> I'm fine. I'm just over it. I just wanted some, you know, somebody to be here as I'm packing my stuff. >> Okay, no problem. Before you start packing again, can I just talk to you real quick? Sure. Let me get off the phone. >> And I think that's where we ended it. Is that accurate? So after he was you were pinned on the floor in your bedroom here and he was striking you with your own arms in the face. What happened after that? >> After that, I just got up and then I I called the cops. I called you guys. >> Okay. >> Cuz at this point, I'm done. I This is the second time that you guys even called here. >> Okay. >> I'm over it. This He has no level of comprehension whatsoever. I am sick of it. I'm done. The littlest things turn up to be the biggest thing ever. >> Do you have any injuries? >> No. >> No. Okay. Do you have any? >> My nail hurts a little bit, but I'll nail or anything. Okay, I got you. >> Can I just clarify something real quick, too? When you were inside and he came in and was yelling in your room. >> See, like in your face >> like like like face to face basically. >> Face to face. >> Okay. >> Yeah. He does that all the time. Anytime I'm yelling, he walks up on me. And that's most of the time how everything happens. >> So when you're pushing him, you're like just >> Yeah. I'm like pushing him back and he takes that as me trying to get physical, but I'm just like backing you up. >> Okay. >> Gotcha. Okay. So then after So you [clears throat] push him with both hands? >> Yes. >> Like you hit like a shoulder >> chest like here. >> So then then he forces you onto the bed. >> Onto the bed. He's on top of me and I'm just like trying to pull him away and I guess I ripped out the dread and he it got even worse from that point. Everything happened so fast. You know when you're inside something you kind of do a blackout so I can't really say for sure. This is just what I how I would recall it. >> I gota Okay. Oh, what would you like done? >> I'm As you can see I'm packing. >> Okay. I'm done. >> I think I've done all I can for this guy. >> Okay. And you guys have been dating for about 3 years. Lived here since August. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Literally left my apartment to come here with him thinking the world of the whole situation. And it's just been chaos >> and hell. And I'm just I'm done. I'm better. I'm above this. This is not even the type of [ __ ] that I go for in the first place. And I did it. I took a chance and now I'm here. But I'm done playing this this game. I wasn't raised like this. I come from a culture. I'm African. I have culture. We have mors. We have traditions. I don't live like this. And I refuse for this to be my lifestyle where I have to call the police every second because you don't know how to comprehend something small. No, this is not life. I just called you guys for protection so I can just pack my stuff. I don't know what he wants to do, >> but I'm done. I've called a friend. >> I'm trying to get my stuff together as much as I can, but I'll probably just pick something small to just leave. >> Okay. >> Sure. And then when things >> as officers gather statements, the focus shifts from the emotional fallout of the relationship to determining exactly how the physical confrontation began. In domestic incidents, even minor physical contact can significantly affect how officers are required to proceed under state law. >> I can contact him on how I can pick up the rest of my stuff. >> Okay. >> Cuz I'm I'm done. >> Okay. >> I'm done. >> You want to keep packing rest things? >> Yes. >> Okay. Well, it's all right. We're going to have to hang out here while my partner talks to your boyfriend. Anyways, >> my ex. >> Your ex, right? [laughter] >> Good. >> My ex. When God shows you too many signs, it's your time to get away. >> It's your time to get away. It's sad too because it's like my parents don't even live here. I'm literally all alone in the US and like it's not even like I've got family that I can like run to. It's quite unfortunate but I believe God will make a way. >> Where's your family at? >> In Africa. >> Okay. >> In Zambia to be exact. When did you come here? [snorts] >> About 5 years ago and I've been on my own and I met him. It seemed great in the beginning. He convinced me to move here. I figured, hey, life is a little bit hard. Why not? It'll lessen up my bills. >> Yeah, >> I did it. But honestly, this has been the biggest regret, I think. biggest mistake I I could have ever made. I should have just stayed on my own. But it's okay. Everything was a lesson. We learned and we moved on. >> Yeah, you're absolutely right. >> Mhm. >> All right. So, so here's the thing, J. Okay. So, obviously, whenever there's mention or anything physical during an altercation, all right, we have to investigate that. And from what he's telling me, >> what you're telling me, you guys are conflicting on who was the aggressor. Okay. >> Mhm. >> But you guys both agree that you put your hands on him first. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> So, >> why are you in my face? >> I got you. With that being said, though, >> the investigation reaches its most consequential moment. Although the caller reported being pinned down during the altercation, officers determined that she admitted to initiating physical contact with a push. Under Illinois domestic battery statutes, that admission becomes a key factor in the arrest decision. >> You are going to be under arrest for domestic battery. Okay. So, can you you put your bag down? >> Getting arrested? >> Yes, ma'am. >> For just a slight push. >> Yep. >> I got to tell my parents. >> This is one of the rare circumstances where I feel really bad arresting people because obviously you're a good person >> and you called and everything. I get it. So, you're going to have an opportunity to make a phone call, >> but I can't do it right now. >> You got to guys. I don't have nobody here in the US. [snorts] >> You'll have that chance. >> Hey, Jill, just put your hands on Put your hands on top of your head for me. Okay. >> Very respectful with you. We're going to make it as easy as we can. You've been very respectful. I can tell you're a good person, like I said. So, I can feel bad that you're in this position. Um, but like my partner explained, even though it's a minor push, it is still against the wall. And honestly, it's the first kind of force to make an arrest in this situation. So, we're doing what we have to do. >> And it's one of those things, too, where, you know, he doesn't necessarily want to pursue any charges, but it's Illinois state law where we have to pursue charges just because I've never been in situation. >> So, we're going to take you back to the Royal Police Department. We're going to book you, okay? And then in the morning, you're going to go to DuPage County and you're going to see a judge. And then from there, you'll be released, okay? There will be a 72-hour stay away where you can't come back here or have any contact with him, but you get one police visit. So that's why I had you pack up your stuff. So if you need to, you can come back with us, get all your stuff. That way it's a little bit quicker for you. All right. And then it'll just be a court date from there. >> Okay. >> I'm going to take everything. >> Sure. >> So we can take your phone, your wallet, your cash, you would like to uh with you. And then when you get released, >> you're going to have an opportunity. >> Do you need medications or anything? >> And like my passport >> is in here. >> Yeah. So I'll get it for you. >> Um I'm going to do a supplemental real quick with him and then I'll key up when the van gets here for you guys want to walk her down for the van. Otherwise module is done. [snorts] >> So we'll take >> your wallet, passport, and phone. Okay. Is there anything else that's like a must have that needs to come with you? Do you have keys for this apartment? Maybe. >> Okay. Nice. >> That changes yours. Did you like it in the bag? No. >> Mhm. >> So, right now we're waiting for a transport van to come. So, that's why we're kind of just standing around. But as soon as they're here, we'll walk downstairs and then we'll transport you over. [snorts] So, there's [snorts] literally no I could just send a text to my mom. >> When we're at the police department, once you're done getting your fingerprints taken and photographs, you're going to have an opportunity to make some phone calls. Okay. >> So, and if you need numbers, they'll let you use your cell phone to get some phone numbers out. >> But they'll let me out. You said tomorrow. >> Tomorrow you're going to have to see a judge in DuPage County. Mhm. >> And then you'll be released from that point. There's going to be 72 hours where you're not going to be able to have any contact with your ex-boyfriend. Um, and that also is a 72-hour stay away from this address. You will be allowed to come back to pick up some of your possessions with a police escort. Okay? So, that's the benefit of all the work that you did right now with packing up. When you come back, it's going to be a quick, easy transition for you. Um, then after that, after the 72 hours, if you need to come back here for anything, should be allowed unless there's some sort of order protection that he gets in that time. But being that he didn't want to sign complaints, I don't see that likely. [clears throat] >> Can I have water, please, before I >> Yeah. >> Do me a favor. >> Flip flops. >> They're like slippers. Would you like to put some shoes on instead of >> Yeah, I'll put my sneakers on after. >> Which ones? Cuz I'll check them before you put them on. >> They're cute. Can you check on the right? >> Do you want to sit down and do that? [snorts] Can I check the bottom of your feet, please? [snorts] Thank you. >> [snorts] >> You just need to check the bottom of your face. >> Oh, sorry. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. I'm going to pour it. [clears throat] Is there a key or anything I need to lock the apartment with or >> AP probably? >> Okay. What began as a request for police assistance while moving out ended with the caller herself being placed under arrest. Throughout the encounter, officers were tasked with evaluating conflicting accounts from both parties while applying state domestic violence laws to the facts available at the scene. According to the statements documented during the investigation, both individuals described a physical confrontation inside the apartment. The woman reported that her boyfriend entered her personal space, leading her to push him away. She further alleged that the encounter escalated, resulting in her being forced onto a bed and struck with her own arms. However, officers also noted that both parties agreed she initiated the first physical contact by pushing him. In many domestic violence investigations, officers do not simply arrest the person who called 911. Instead, they must determine whether there is probable cause that a crime occurred and identify what state law requires them to do once that determination is made. In this case, officers explain that even a minor push can meet the legal threshold for domestic battery when it occurs during a domestic dispute. The body cam footage also highlights a reality often seen in domestic incidents, emotions, relationship history, and personal hardships do not necessarily change the legal analysis officers must conduct. While the officers expressed empathy for her situation and remained professional throughout the encounter, they ultimately followed the procedures they believed were required under the circumstances. The footage concludes with officers explaining the booking process, court appearance requirements, and temporary no contact conditions that would follow the arrest. Whether viewers agree with the outcome or not, the incident demonstrates how quickly domestic disputes can lead to legal consequences for everyone involved. If this body cam footage made you stop and think, hit like, share your opinion in the comments, and subscribe for more real life police body cam breakdowns.