This article reviews published works covering police response to domestic violence. Issues reviewed include historical data, impetus for change, empirical studies on effectiveness, critiques of research paradigms, rationales and objections in relation to mandatory arrest policies, victim and offender characteristics that affect police response, and alternative response for police intervention. The weight of the literature seems to suggest that mandatory arrest policies may not universally achieve positive goals. Moreover, some studies show that police agencies do not work effectively with other social welfare agencies. Future research should seek alternative police interventions that yield more integrated methods for societal response to domestic violence.