What obligation do law enforcement officers have towards victims?

Law enforcement officers have a crucial obligation to ensure that victims are kept informed about the status of their cases. This responsibility is essential for several reasons. First, keeping victims informed helps them understand the ongoing processes and any developments regarding their case, which is vital for their emotional well-being and sense of justice. It also fosters trust between law enforcement and the community, as victims feel acknowledged and valued.

Moreover, the communication between law enforcement and victims can serve practical purposes, such as additional information gathering or clarifying misunderstandings regarding the procedures. When victims feel informed and involved, they are generally more likely to cooperate with the investigation and engage positively with the legal system, which ultimately benefits law enforcement efforts and the pursuit of justice.

In contrast, collecting evidence from victims, while important, is typically part of the investigative process that doesn't directly address keeping victims informed. Investigating crimes without victim involvement might happen in certain scenarios but does not meet the broader obligation of communication and support during a victim's journey through the criminal justice process. Offering legal representation to victims is not typically within the purview of law enforcement; this role usually falls to attorneys or legal aid services.