Law enforcement may be involved in certain types of child abuse and neglect investigations, such as sexual abuse, severe physical abuse or neglect, or child deaths. Find resources and training materials to support collaboration between law enforcement and child welfare agencies. Resources include State and local examples.
Drug Endangered Children: Guide for Law Enforcement (PDF - 4,696 KB)
National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (2015)
Focuses on community-based partnerships made up of professionals from multiple disciplines, including law enforcement, who rescue, defend, shelter, and support children living in environments with drug activity. Law enforcement professionals are a crucial part of identifying children at risk of harm due to drug activity and a crucial piece of the system designed to help these children.
How Does Involvement With Law Enforcement Impact the Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect?
Casey Family Programs (2020)
Presents findings from a study that seeks to understand the relationship between law enforcement and child protection and how reporting of child abuse and neglect is affected by involvement with law enforcement. Results of the study showed exposure to law enforcement plays a role in determining which children come into contact with child protection.
Law Enforcement Response to Child Abuse (PDF - 2,365 KB)
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (2014)
Explains law enforcement's role in child abuse cases, which spans the entire case from the initial call, through the investigation, and to the court proceedings. Law enforcement officers investigate to determine if a criminal law has been violated; identify and apprehend the offender; file criminal charges; and provide guidance and support to the child, family, and child welfare agencies involved.
Responses to the Problem of Child Abuse and Neglect in the Home
Center for Problem-Oriented Policing (2017)
Outlines law enforcement considerations for an effective response to child abuse and neglect in the home and includes a section on multidisciplinary teams and their response to child maltreatment allegations.
Teamwork and the Different Roles in Investigating Child Abuse
In Public Safety (2015)
Stresses the importance of teamwork among police, social service personnel, medical personnel, and others when investigating cases of child abuse. This article provides information on police interviews of children and the dangers of untrained questioning.
Tips for Investigating Cases of Child Sex Abuse
In Public Safety (2015)
Provides tips and best practices for law enforcement officials investigating child sexual abuse allegations. The article discusses initial investigation techniques, physical evidence, interview techniques, and additional tips.
What Are Some Examples of Real-Time Information Sharing Between Child Protection and Law Enforcement?
Casey Family Programs (2019)
Explains the need for information sharing between child protective services and law enforcement when it comes to data such as prior maltreatment reports, arrests, and convictions so that good decisions can be made about child safety. The resource presents jurisdictional examples in Los Angeles and New York City that show how to achieve effective information sharing and collaboration with law enforcement.
State and local examples
A Guide to New York's Child Protective Services System (PDF - 228 KB)
New York State Assembly (2014)
Describes how New York protects children from abuse and maltreatment with cooperation from hospitals, schools, and law enforcement and highlights the importance of communication, coordination, and cooperation among personnel from these entities.
Guidelines for the Multidisciplinary Response to Child Abuse in Alaska (PDF - 1,669 KB)
Alaska Children’s Justice Act Task Force
Discusses various roles of members of the Children's Justice Act Task Force in Alaska, including the role of law enforcement, which is to investigate and determine whether a crime has been committed. The investigation also involves completing interviews, conducting a crime scene investigation, collecting evidence, and more.