Question

If an officer responding to a call of domestic abuse is told by the victim or caller upon his arrival that they no longer wish to file a report he is no longer required to make a written report of the alleged incident.

True/False

Answer 1

It is false that an officer is not required to make a written report if a domestic abuse victim declines to file one upon the officer's arrival. Officers must document such incidents, even if the victim is reluctant to press charges, for multiple reasons including victim safety and potential future legal proceedings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that an officer is no longer required to make a written report of an alleged incident of domestic abuse if the victim or caller declines to file a report upon the officer's arrival is false. It is false that an officer is not required to make a written report if a domestic abuse victim declines to file one upon the officer's arrival.

Officers must document such incidents, even if the victim is reluctant to press charges, for multiple reasons including victim safety and potential future legal proceedings.

Law enforcement protocols often require officers to document domestic abuse calls due to the complex nature of such incidents. Victims may decline to file reports for various reasons, including considering the matter private, fear of retaliation, protecting the abuser, or a belief that the police won't take action.

The decision to document does not solely rely on the victim's immediate willingness to press charges, as officers are trained to look into the situation independently due to the potential risks involved.