NCJ Number
129947
Date Published
1991
Length
109 pages
Annotation
This study documents the responses of police and sheriff's agencies to their increased mandated responsibility for investigating child abuse.
Abstract
The study reviewed the statutory framework for police activities in cases of child abuse and neglect. A telephone survey of municipal and county police agencies in the spring of 1988 obtained information on existing police policies and procedures for handling child abuse cases, formal and informal interagency cooperative arrangements, and promising strategies for addressing child abuse. Site visits to four agencies provided indepth analyses of how these agencies handled child abuse cases. The legislative analysis found that over 40 States have enacted legislation that requires child protective agencies to notify either police or local prosecutors of all or certain types of serious child abuse cases, with the expectation that these cases will be investigated. Many of these laws also require written interagency agreements to ensure coordination between social service and law enforcement agencies. Findings indicate that as a result of these legislative changes, police agencies are investigating child abuse with greater frequency, are assisting child protective service workers more often, and are assuming a larger role in the protection of children. Many agencies have created child abuse squads, provided specialized training in child abuse investigations for both rookies and veterans, and entered into interagency agreements. Chapter notes, 7 tables, and appended survey questionnaire and supplementary materials