What must happen if a protective order is to be enforced?

For a protective order to be enforced, notification to law enforcement must occur. This step is crucial as it ensures that law enforcement agencies are aware of the existence of the protective order and can take the appropriate action if the order is violated. Law enforcement needs to have access to the document in their systems so they can respond effectively if called upon or if they observe violations.

Without this notification, officers may not be aware that a protective order is in place, which can lead to confusion during incidents where its enforcement is necessary. This process of notifying law enforcement creates a formal mechanism for safeguarding the individual protected by the order and helps in streamlining any legal action that may need to follow in case of enforcement issues.