NCJ Number
145846
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (1993) Pages: 117-122
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article offers a law enforcement response to criticisms of current police proficiency in child sexual abuse investigations, particularly those offered by E.R. Maguire (see NCJ-145845).
Abstract
This author disagrees that scholarly work is needed to improve the performance of law enforcement practitioners; rather, officers learn necessary skills through formal and on- the-job training, including recruit and in-service training, seminars, and site-visits to other departments. Police officers may view child sex offenders more punitively than other professionals engaged in child protective services because their responsibility is to apprehend all types of criminals and bring them to justice. This author also disagrees with Maguire that the lack of a national law enforcement professional organization and specific personnel practices negatively impact upon officers' response to child sexual abuse investigations. Law enforcement can respond more effectively to child sexual abuse cases by understanding its role in the child protection team, applying standard investigative techniques to these cases, and participating in outside seminars and training.