4.1 Roles and Responsibilities of Law Enforcement

Law enforcement plays several roles in the community response to child abuse and neglect. Law enforcement may:

Detect and report suspected child abuse and neglect;
Take the lead when completing a co-investigation with CD;
Gather physical evidence and conduct interviews during the assessment process;
Offer support to CD staff if the worker is visiting an isolated or dangerous location or dealing with an alleged perpetrator who is known to be dangerous, mentally unstable, or substance-controlled;
Assist the Children’s Service Worker to gain access to the child if the parents refuse to allow such access;
Be available 24-hours a day and often able to react to emergency situations more quickly than CD investigators;
Perform investigations of possible criminal activity;
Arrest individuals believed to have committed a crime against a child;
Take protective custody of a child, if necessary;
Offer victim support in terms of preparing children for trial; and
Assist in raising community awareness through prevention and advocacy programs, such as the DARE program offered in many schools;
Testify in court, as necessary;
Enforce the orders of the court.

Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 1/31/07)