NCJ Number
134408
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (1990) Pages: 1-24
Date Published
1990
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Data collected for 122 telephone interviews of county and municipal police departments and a review of statistical data and policies of about 60 departments were used by the Police Foundation and American Enterprise Institute to determine how the police have responded to their expanded responsibilities for investigating child abuse cases.
Abstract
The survey showed that law enforcement agencies have responded in a number of positive ways to the challenges of these added responsibilities. About two-thirds of the department surveyed have updated child abuse policies. Most departments offer training to new recruits as well as in-service training programs to experienced officers on identifying and investigating child abuse. Larger departments often have a specialized unit dedicated to investigating child abuse cases, and many agencies provide crime prevention programs to local schools, use anatomically correct dolls, and have interagency agreements regarding notification and investigation procedures. Most respondents identified their most pressing need as being for more investigative personnel; other needs included more training and technology. 5 notes, 6 tables, and 17 references