Hollywood Police Department SOP #253 Child Abuse/Neglect Investigations PDF

HOLLYWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT SOP #253 CHILD ABUSE / NEGLECT INVESTIGATIONS ORIGINATION DATE: 10/30/2002 REVISED DATE: 07/03/2019...

HOLLYWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT SOP #253 CHILD ABUSE / NEGLECT INVESTIGATIONS ORIGINATION DATE: 10/30/2002 REVISED DATE: 07/03/2019 APPROVED: CHIEF OF POLICE, JEFF DEVLIN PURPOSE: This SOP establishes general guidelines and procedures for the initial responding Officer to follow when investigating Child Abuse and Neglect crimes. SCOPE: This SOP applies to all Members of the Department. POLICY: The investigation of Child Abuse and Neglect crimes is a top priority of the Department. These crimes will be completely and professionally investigated with the protection of children and the arrest of perpetrators as the ultimate goals. These investigations will be done in compliance with the Sexual Assault Treatment Center, “Child Abuse Joint Investigative Protocol”. INDEX: PROCEDURE:.............................................................................................................................................. 2 I. COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITY............................................................................................... 2 II. RESPONDING OFFICERS INITIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.................................................................... 2 III. INCIDENT CLASSIFICATIONS............................................................................................................. 2 A. JOINT INVESTIGATIONS WITH BSO/CPIS:.............................................................................................. 2 B. SEXUAL ABUSE:.................................................................................................................................... 3 C. CHILD ABUSE / NEGLECT:..................................................................................................................... 3 IV. CHILD NEGLECT INVESTIGATIONS................................................................................................... 3 A. IMMEDIATE DANGER:............................................................................................................................. 3 B. POTENTIAL HARM:................................................................................................................................ 3 V. CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS........................................................................................................ 3 A. AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE:................................................................................................................. 3 B. ABUSE OF A CHILD:............................................................................................................................... 4 VI. SEXUAL ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS.................................................................................................... 4 A. INVESTIGATING OFFICER:...................................................................................................................... 4 B. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES:........................................................................................................... 4 C. SPECIAL VICTIMS DETECTIVE:............................................................................................................... 4 VII. SUSPECTS............................................................................................................................................ 5 SOP #253 Child Abuse - Neglect Investigations Page 1 of 6  A. MIRANDA W ARNINGS:........................................................................................................................... 5 B. SPONTANEOUS STATEMENTS:............................................................................................................... 5 C. CRIMINAL HISTORY:.............................................................................................................................. 5 VIII. INVESTIGATIONS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS:...................................................................................... 5 A. CONTACTING VICTIMS OR W ITNESSES:.................................................................................................. 5 B. REMOVAL FROM SCHOOL:..................................................................................................................... 5 IX. ABUSE HOT LINE................................................................................................................................. 5 A. CONTACT NUMBERS:............................................................................................................................ 5 B. DOCUMENTATION:................................................................................................................................ 5 X. MOBILE FIELD REPORTS.................................................................................................................... 6 XI. DEFINITIONS:........................................................................................................................................ 6 A. PHYSICAL ABUSE:............................................................................................................................ 6 B. AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE:......................................................................................................... 6 C. CHILD NEGLECT:.............................................................................................................................. 6 D. SEXUAL BATTERY:........................................................................................................................... 6 E. CHILD ABUSE JOINT INVESTIGATIVE PROTOCOL:...................................................................... 6 F. STATE OF FLORIDA V. GETHERS:.................................................................................................. 6 G. JOHNSON V. STATE OF FLORIDA:.................................................................................................. 6 PROCEDURE: I. COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITY Officers will be dispatched by the Regional Communications Center to all calls involving allegations of Child Abuse and Neglect or when the Broward Sheriff‘s Office Child Protection Investigations Section (BSO/CPIS) requests assistance in an investigation. II. RESPONDING OFFICERS INITIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Officers will first establish jurisdiction. If the events occurred within the jurisdictional limits of the City of Hollywood and there are allegations or evidence of possible criminal activity, Officers will conduct their own investigation and classify it as indicated below (see Section III. Incident Classifications). If the events did not occur within the jurisdictional limits of the City of Hollywood, Officers will request the response of the appropriate agency via Teletype. Officers will remain on scene if deemed necessary to ensure the safety of the CPIS Investigator and/or victim(s) until the appropriate investigating agency arrives on scene. Investigations resulting solely from Controlled Substance/Alcohol Tests Administered at Child Birth shall be classified as a Police Service Call, Signal-68, NR-O (based on the established case law precedents of (FL v. Gethers, "Section XI. F." and Johnson v. FL "Section XI. G."). Officers will provide an Incident number to the CPIS Investigator on scene and update CAD with the CPIS case number and the parent’s name. III. INCIDENT CLASSIFICATIONS When conducting an investigation, Officers will classify incidents in the following manner: A. Joint Investigations with BSO/CPIS: These investigations will be classified as a Child Abuse Investigation (Signal-16). SOP #253 Child Abuse - Neglect Investigations Page 2 of 6  B. Sexual Abuse: When the investigation concludes that a child has been sexually assaulted the incident will be classified as a Child Molest (Signal-42). C. Child Abuse / Neglect: When the investigation indicates that a child was physically abused, or the caregiver failed to provide the child with care, supervision and services necessary to maintain the child’s physical or mental health, it will be classified as a Child Abuse (Signal-16). IV. CHILD NEGLECT INVESTIGATIONS Child neglect involves the caregiver’s failure to provide care, supervision, and services to maintain the child’s physical and mental health. The following procedures will be followed when dealing with cases of Child Neglect: A. Immediate Danger: In cases of severe neglect, when it is determined that the child would be left in a setting or situation that would pose an immediate danger if not removed from the home, the Officer will: 1. Notify a Supervisor who will in turn cause a Special Victims Unit Detective to be notified. 2. Notify the Broward Sheriff‘s Office Child Protection Investigations Section (BSO/CPIS) via the Statewide Abuse Registry. If the BSO/CPIS cannot respond, the child will be taken to a location designated by the BSO/CPIS or to the Police Department until a BSO/CPIS Investigator can respond. 3. Secure the crime scene and request a Crime Scene Technician respond to photograph and process the crime scene. (A “Consent to Search Form” signed by person(s) authorized to do so, or a search warrant will be necessary in order to process the crime scene location). 4. Contact the Statewide Abuse Registry Hotline as outlined in Section VIII, A. B. Potential Harm: If the neglect is of a nature where there is no immediate danger to the child, the Officer will: 1. Speak to the parents or guardians and advise them of the consequences of their actions. 2. If the child’s parents are not present, adequate supervision and care for the child will be obtained prior to the Officer leaving the scene. 3. If the child is not removed from the setting, the Officer will provide details justifying this decision in a Mobile Field Report on a “priority” basis. V. CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS Physical abuse falls into two categories; abuse of a child and aggravated child abuse. The following procedures will be followed when dealing with cases of Child Abuse. A. Aggravated Child Abuse: In cases of aggravated abuse, the Officer will: 1. Notify a Supervisor who will in turn cause a Special Victims Unit Detective to be notified. 2. Request a BSO/CPIS Investigator respond to the scene via the Statewide Abuse Registry. 3. This Agency and the BSO/CPIS will conduct a joint investigation. If the BSO/CPIS cannot respond, this Agency will continue its investigation and communicate the information to the BSO/CPIS. 4. Secure the crime scene and request a Crime Scene Technician respond to photograph the premises and/or any obvious trauma or injuries to the child or children. (A “Consent to Search Form” signed by person(s) authorized to do so, or a search warrant will be necessary in order to process the crime scene location). 5. Request Hollywood Fire Rescue if the child is in need of immediate medical attention. 6. Contact the Statewide Abuse Registry Hotline as outlined in (Section VIII, A.) SOP #253 Child Abuse - Neglect Investigations Page 3 of 6  B. Abuse of a Child: In cases of abuse, when it is determined that the child would be in immediate danger if not removed from the home, the Officer will: 1. Notify a Supervisor who will cause a Special Victims Unit Detective to be notified. 2. Secure the crime scene and request a Crime Scene Technician respond to photograph the premises and/or any injuries to the child or children. (A “Consent to Search Form” signed by person(s) authorized to do so, or a search warrant will be necessary in order to process the crime scene location). 3. When a child requires immediate medical attention, Hollywood Fire Rescue will be requested to respond to the scene. 4. If the child is not removed from the setting, the Officer will provide details justifying this decision in a Mobile Field Report called in on a “priority” basis. VI. SEXUAL ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS The following procedures will be followed when dealing with cases of Child Sexual Abuse: A. Investigating Officer: In all cases of child sexual abuse, Officers will: 1. Notify a Supervisor who will cause a Special Victims Unit Detective to respond. 2. Secure the crime scene and request a Crime Scene Technician respond to the scene. (A “Consent to Search Form” signed by person(s) authorized to do so, or a search warrant will be necessary in order to process the crime scene location). 3. Obtain a brief statement from the child victim. The interview should be limited to ascertaining the nature of the complaint and possible suspect information. Do not attempt a thorough interview of the child. 4. Request Hollywood Fire Rescue if the child is in need of immediate medical attention. 5. Sexual abuse allegations will not be classified unfounded at the scene. 6. Contact the Statewide Abuse Registry Hotline as outlined in (Section VIII, A.) B. Supervisor Responsibilities: When a Supervisor is notified of a Child Sexual Abuse he will: 1. Notify the Shift Lieutenant. 2. Ensure that a Special Victims Unit Detective has been requested. 3. Ensure that the integrity of the crime scene has been maintained. C. Special Victims Detective: When a Special Victims Unit Detective responds to the scene of a child sexual abuse he will: 1. Notify the Special Victims Unit Supervisor and keep him up-dated as the investigation proceeds. 2. Request a BSO/CPIS Investigator respond to the scene. If the BSO/CPIS cannot respond, this Agency will continue with the investigation and communicate information to the BSO/CPIS. 3. Contact the Nancy J. Cotterman Center (NJCC) to arrange for the victim to have an examination. 4. Conduct a brief interview with the child victim to ascertain the circumstances of the sexual assault. A videotaped statement may be taken at the NJCC or at the Police Department at a later time in compliance with the NJCC, “Child Abuse Joint Investigative Protocol.” SOP #253 Child Abuse - Neglect Investigations Page 4 of 6 VII. SUSPECTS Incidents may arise in which the suspect is on scene. Officers must be aware of the following: A. Miranda Warnings: Officers will not read Miranda Warnings to suspects of child abuse related offenses when a Detective is enroute to further investigate. A Detective assigned to the investigation will be responsible for the reading of Miranda Rights and subsequent questioning. B. Spontaneous Statements: In the event that a suspect makes a spontaneous statement(s), Officers will make note as accurately as possible as to what the statement(s) were. C. Criminal History: Officers will be responsible for checking all suspect(s) for active warrants and a criminal history. Officers will document in the Mobile Field Report as to whether or not the suspect(s) have a criminal history. VIII. INVESTIGATIONS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS: A. Contacting Victims or Witnesses: The following procedure will be followed when contacting victim(s) or witnesses on school grounds: 1. Whenever possible, the Special Investigative Unit of the School Board (SIU) will be notified prior to arrival at the school. Contact can be made at (754) 321-0725 2. A Dependency/Criminal Joint Investigation Form, which can be obtained from the child abuse designee at the school, must be completed and signed prior to the contact. 3. It is the discretion of the Officer/Detective and/or the BSO/CPIS whether school personnel will be included in the interview. B. Removal from School: When a child is removed from school, the child must be signed out and the forms required by SIU completed. It is the obligation of the Officer/Detective or the BSO/CPIS to notify the caregiver(s) that the child was removed from school. IX. ABUSE HOT LINE The State of Florida has a Statewide Abuse Registry, which is used to document cases of child abuse, neglect and sexual assault. The following procedures will be followed to contact the Abuse Registry: A. Contact Numbers: The Statewide Abuse Registry will be notified by calling the Abuse Hotline at the following numbers: 1. 1-866-532-2873 (this phone number is for Law Enforcement use only). 2. 1-800-962-2873 (general public). B. Documentation: Officers will include the following in the narrative portion of the Mobile Field Report: 1. The date and time the Statewide Abuse Registry was contacted. 2. The name and identification number of the Operator taking the call at the Statewide Abuse Registry. 3. Whether the complaint was accepted or declined by the Statewide Abuse Registry. SOP #253 Child Abuse - Neglect Investigations Page 5 of 6 X. MOBILE FIELD REPORTS Officers will complete a Mobile Field Report on a “priority” basis on all child abuse investigations. XI. DEFINITIONS: A. PHYSICAL ABUSE: Is defined as the intentional infliction of physical or mental injury upon a child; or an intentional act that could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury of a child; or active encouragement of any person to commit an act that results or could reasonably be expected to result in physical or mental injury to a child. B. AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE: Is defined as an aggravated battery on a child; or willfully tortures, maliciously punishes, or willfully and unlawfully cages a child; or knowingly or willfully abuses a child and in so doing causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to a child. C. CHILD NEGLECT: Is defined as a caregiver’s failure or omission to provide a child with the care, supervision, and services necessary to maintain the child’s physical and mental health; or a caregiver’s failure to make a reasonable effort to protect a child from abuse, neglect or exploitation by another person. D. SEXUAL BATTERY: Is defined as the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object; however, sexual battery does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose. E. CHILD ABUSE JOINT INVESTIGATIVE PROTOCOL: The Nancy J. Cotterman Center has coordinated the, “Child Abuse Joint Investigative Protocol” with other Agencies throughout Broward County that mandates a cooperative effort between the State Attorney’s Office, the NJCC and the Investigating Agencies. F. STATE OF FLORIDA V. GETHERS: https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1706547/state-v-gethers/ G. JOHNSON V. STATE OF FLORIDA: https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1723888/johnson-v-state/ SOP #253 Child Abuse - Neglect Investigations Page 6 of 6