I was going to suggest a phone myself except that you cant hide your phone and if he saw you recording him he may seriously not just destroy the phone but hurt you.
They use cameras that record people being attacked in gas stations and Walmart parking lots. Video cam is used all the time. They are called nanny cams because they are used to record nannies.
I persinally would not take on the police department unless you have tons of $$ and are prepared to lose. You would literally be taking on the city vs. you. Cops indeed are not psycholigists. They follow the law. The psychologists are another area and they get fooled too. Ive seen it. This is for another thread but the mental health community is easily fooled by those with all disorders...they may not be any more accurate than cops without the proper information from the client. But i digress...
Old pictures of house destruction with no indication of who did it and your word are not enough evidence. The police officer was a jerk to you but there was no evidence that your son did anything wrong. You need evidence or else I could get mad at Neighbor B, a very nice woman, and say she threatened to kill me and destroy my house and Neighbor B would have to be arrested based on those false accusations. Or it could be any of us. For this readon, cops need evidence. Domestic violence is the #1 call in many areas. It is here I know.
Fortunately and unfortunately when it really is serious our country doesnt arrest anyone without evidence. Doesnt matter how high you climb to complain. The police cant arrest anyone just based on our words and in general that in my opinion is good. Thus the new use of cell phone videos and nanny cams. Proof. The police have to listen to the son as much as her. How did they know she was the one telling the truth?
Accusatory words dont get anyone arrested without evidence no matter who you complain to. That is why clever nasty stalkers roam free. You have to show evidence. In this case there was none so I would work with people who can actually help this young man get caught and arrested...DV probably has ideas. Now if the words of this man had been recorded this could have probably been used for an order of protection. Or even jail. Cameras need to roll inside and outside the house. We have cameras in both places. Its legal. Well, its legal here.
I know California has many extremely cool services other states usually don't have. If you want to go to court here or where I lived in Illinois there was the Clerk of Courts to help you only, no attorney. in my opinion I would focus more on staying safe and gathering evidence than suing everyone. in my opinion (could be wrong) trying to enforce your words without evidence wont work even if you get to speak to the POTUS.
I know this is not a popular response but its how our legal system works. If a wife calls saying her husband beat her and a cop comes out and sees no bruises and the husband says she hit him first with a chair and there is no evidence of either, they no longer assume the woman is the victum. They may try to get one of them to leave for the night but they won't arrest anyone. Women and men have become equally possible victims.It is no longer assumed that the woman is the victim.
If this were me Id make dang sure my house was full of cameras, I would try for a protective order even with no evidence and I would start eviction. You need it even if somebody pays no rent because if they live there you cant just put them out. I found out this scary fact when a my friend took in a homeless nineteen year old, she stole from her, and she did not pay rent. She had to be evicted. Fortunately she left on her own. This was in Illinois. Check your state laws.
The first time Son opens his mouth, record it somehow and take it to the cops. You need the police in your situation. They cant think you are the crazy lady who tried to sue them for not arresting this son with no evidence. At least I wouldnt want that reputation. This young man is a serious problem but yelling about it with no evidence in most states will not work. Get a lawyer and find productive, legal ways to get him out without agitating people you need and without expecting an arrest with no evidence. I believe you can get help, but in my opinion the focus in my opinion needs to be on sane, legal ways to do it. I would call an attorney and DV today. But dont expect different treatment due to being a woman. That no longer is the law. I am not sure you DO think this way but many womem still do. They still assume in a divorce women will get major custody of the kids. Nope. They still think in an altercation without proof the man will be blamed. Not anymore.
I fear for your safety and hope you can get productive, proper help. And buy those cameras. Take care of yourself. Get in that ohone and call an attorney and DV.
Love and light!