Dickinson Officer Reprimanded After Allegedly Advising Domestic Violence Suspect on “How Not to Leave Bruises”

DICKINSON, ND — A Dickinson police officer is under internal review this week after multiple witnesses reported he gave “advice” to a domestic violence suspect on how to avoid visible bruising during future assaults.

In a dimly lit room, a police officer and a civilian speak in hushed tones while a distressed woman watches from the shadows—an image capturing the silent complicity and systemic failures often hidden behind closed doors.

According to a preliminary complaint filed with the city, Officer Daniel Frey, a 12-year veteran of the Dickinson Police Department, responded to a 911 call late Saturday night regarding a disturbance at a south-side residence. Upon arrival, Frey allegedly spent less than four minutes assessing the victim’s injuries before turning to the suspect and offering what he described as “some off-the-record guidance.”

“He told him not to go for the face or arms, and something about using a pillow,” said a neighbor who witnessed the exchange from her porch. “Then he said, and I quote, ‘Everyone gets emotional, just be smarter next time.’ I couldn’t believe it.”

The victim, whose name is being withheld for safety reasons, reportedly asked the officer for a written report to seek a protection order, but was told “not to escalate things.” When medical personnel arrived, they noted injuries consistent with “blunt force trauma,” though the responding officer had not recorded any.

The Dickinson Police Department issued a brief statement Monday morning:

“We are aware of troubling allegations involving Officer Frey’s conduct at a domestic incident. The matter is under investigation. We take all claims seriously and remain committed to professional policing and community trust.”

Privately, sources within the department say this isn’t the first complaint against Officer Frey. Internal affairs records indicate two previous incidents in 2019 and 2021 where Frey was counseled for making “inappropriate comments during domestic calls,” including one occasion in which he allegedly told a victim to “toughen up” and “not make this a federal case.”

The city’s Human Rights Coalition is calling for Frey’s immediate suspension, while critics argue this case is part of a broader issue in rural policing: a culture of minimizing domestic violence under the guise of “keeping the peace.”

“It’s not peacekeeping when you’re coaching abusers,” said advocacy coordinator Marla Jensen. “This is not a training issue. This is an ethical collapse.”

Frey has not been formally charged, and remains on active duty. The officer has declined interviews but was seen entering the department’s headquarters Tuesday wearing sunglasses and a “Thin Blue Line” hoodie.

A special city council session is scheduled for Friday, where residents are expected to demand action. A petition calling for Frey’s removal has gathered more than 400 signatures.

“This isn’t about one bad cop,” said Jensen. “It’s about an entire system that still thinks bruises are the only measure of harm.”