What must peace officers do regarding family violence prevention?

Peace officers have a critical role in preventing criminal offenses, including family violence. The responsibility to act proactively is essential, as officers are trained to respond to indicators of potential violence and take measures to prevent escalation and protect individuals involved. This encompasses not only responding to calls for service but also taking initiative when they encounter situations or evidence that suggests family violence may occur or is ongoing.

In the context of family violence, officers are expected to intervene to stop violence and protect victims, thereby fulfilling their duty to enforce the law and safeguard community members. This proactive stance is crucial since waiting for a call from victims or only addressing incidents that are already violent may not prevent harm from occurring in the first place. Additionally, while informing victims about resources is an important part of the support structure around family violence, merely providing information does not address the immediate risk and needs for intervention that officers must prioritize.