Police want lawmakers to close what it calls a potentially deadly loophole in Hawaii’s domestic violence law.

The Honolulu Police Department says victims are vulnerable because current state law automatically invalidates a temporary restraining order when a court issues a protective order. This is a problem because a protective order doesn’t take effect until the alleged abuser has been served.

Police may not be able to charge suspects with calling, stalking or confronting victims during this “gap” period because these actions aren’t crimes if a temporary restraining order or a protective order isn’t in place. 

The department said in a statement yesterday an amendment would fix the situation by allowing a temporary restraining order to stay in effect for 90 days or until a protective order is served.

Associated Press