Enhancing law enforcement identification and investigation of child maltreatment

Abstract

Objective: Data from two independent studies is presented, representing the investigators’ ongoing work with faculty from a state criminal justice academy to analyze existing knowledge and skill levels among veteran law enforcement officers and recruits, as well as to enhance future training. Method: Through an anonymous questionnaire, the first of these studies examined officers’ perceptions of maltreatment, including those factors that do and do not influence a determination of whether a particular act constitutes child maltreatment and assessments of whether particular acts constitute abuse or neglect. The second study also utilized an anonymous questionnaire to examine officers’ knowledge of the developmental strengths and limitations of children relative to their ability to provide accurate information in suspected cases of child maltreatment. Results: As hypothesized, several gaps both in law enforcement officers’ knowledge of certain characteristics that can serve to denote a case of maltreatment and their knowledge of fundamental developmental issues and interview techniques that could assist them in the performance of their professional duties are identified. Conclusions: Suggestions for enhanced law enforcement training programs are presented and discussed.