Vignettes were used to determine police responses to several abuse events differing in nature and seriousness. Respondents were asked to evaluate each vignette in terms of its seriousness and criminality, degree of response (no intervention through referral to outside agency), and type of response (report, deal with situation, remove child from home). Other items measured dogmatism, knowledge of reporting laws, and experience reporting child abuse. Perceived seriousness and criminality and decision to report were highly correlated. For 7 of 10 vignettes, definition of the act as serious was the primary predictor of willingness to report, perceived criminality was the main predictor for 2 vignettes, and race was a factor in 5 vignettes. In sexual and physical abuse cases, white families were more likely to be reported than black families, possibly reflecting negative stereotyping of the black lifestyle and behavior. Overall, results suggest that it is the social definition of behavior that has the greatest impact on police discretionary decisions. 3 tables and 44 references. (Author abstract modified)