What is the officer's duty when staying with a victim of family violence to ensure their safety?

The officer's duty when responding to a victim of family violence is to ensure their safety, which is paramount in such situations. The most appropriate course of action is for the officer to have the discretion to assess the scene and decide to stay or leave based on the specific circumstances at hand.

In situations where remaining with the victim is deemed necessary for their safety—perhaps due to ongoing threats, the presence of the alleged perpetrator, or the victim's immediate emotional needs—the officer may choose to stay. This allows them to offer support and ensure that the victim does not face further harm.

However, the officer is not strictly required to stay, as there may be other protocols to follow or a need to respond to additional incidents. The ability to decide whether to stay provides officers with the flexibility to balance the needs of the victim with the overall demands of their duties. This acknowledges the complex and dynamic nature of family violence situations, allowing for an appropriate and tailored response in each unique case.