Maybe he didn't want to needlessly waste public resources or involve quick to judge, officers in a situation that may not have needed it?
I think so. I think his main concern was calling the police on one's neighbors, if not absolutely necessary, can backfire in the long run, so we just listened in on things until they quieted down. It seemed to run the gamut of most arguments.
Here in Colorado, a DV charge is a one-way ticket to
Azkaban when it comes to obtaining or renewing a CHP. Possibly rightly so, but sometimes people simply have heated disputes which don't actually cross the line, yet may be mistaken for doing so.
I tend to find out what's going on first before jumping to dial 911.
Yep.
From Experience:
You DO NOT want to get physically involved in a DV situation. They are one of the most DANGEROUS calls a LEO makes.
I agree completely, OCW. Part of the reason I mention things like this here on this forum, is that because we do carry, there may be a temptation to do something which may prove unwise. I carry for self-defense. I am not a law enforcement officer. I'd step up to the plate if it were absolutely necessary, but that's quite rare for your average citizen.
Was your neighbor also armed?
Not with a firearm. He's an experienced swordsman, enough so to know that getting that close is in excellent way to die!
Does he have the training or mental fortitude to be able to handle what you may encounter...
It was an occasion best served by calm, not action. Had action been warrented, I've absolutely no doubt he'd have been able to handle it. I think in part he was seeking both a second opinion as well as a witness before we called things in.