Here in Wyoming we have something called the "Domestic Violence Prevention Act" and if officers are called to a situation involving members of a family or people who live together, they can arrest the perpetrator even if the victim changes her/his mind. If they see any evidence of violence, they can arrest the person and at least hold him/her overnight until the perp cools down.

I've actually called the cops on the basis of a couple of threatening phone calls I got and they went to the person's residence and let him know they'd arrest him on assault charges if it didn't stop. That was the last I heard from him.

The thing I try to keep in mind is that only someone who feels pretty puny inside needs to make threats and act out their hostility. It doesn't always keep me from having an emotional reaction to their crap, but at least theoretically I know it comes from weakness, not strength.

ww