Policy Text
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CHILD ABUSE DETAIL
The purpose of this order is to d efine the investigative areas of responsibility of the
Child Abuse Detail. I. Detail Responsibilities
A. Child neglect or child abuse where the victim is under age 1 8.
B. Child molestation (Section 288[ a] PC) where the victim is un der age 14.
C. Child molestation (Section 288[ c] PC) where the victim is ag e 14 or 15
years of age and the suspect i s more than ten years older than the victim.
D. Offenses involving the protection of minors. E. Child pornography. The Hi-Tech Crimes unit may assist or tak e over the
investigation in cases involving the internet or computers (see Exceptions
below).
F. Incidents of annoying or moles ting children (Section 647.6 P C).
G. Suspicious deaths of children under the age of 14. The Homic ide Detail
may be called to assist or take o ver the investi gation based on special or
unique circumstances (see Exceptions below). Suspicious deaths of
children over the age of 14 sha ll be investigat ed by the Homici de Detail.
H. Kidnapping of a child under t he age of 14 in situations wher e the child has
already been located. Cases of k idnapping of a child over the a ge of 14, or
in cases where the child is in i mminent danger of serious bodil y injury or
death, and is still missing, shall be investigated by the Homic ide Detail.
Child abduction cases (Sections 277 – 280 PC) shall be investig ated by
the District Attorney’s Child Abduction Unit.
II. Exceptions
A. Detail supervisors, bureau co mmanders, and the division comm ander
have discretion of considering t he unique circumstances of indi vidual
cases and tailoring an approach tha t may differ from this order to better
serve the needs of the Department and the victim.
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III. Detail Supervis or Responsibilities
A. Supervise daily activities o f all investigators assigned to the unit.
B. Review and assign all cases. C. Monitor investigative progre ss of cases to ensure timely res olutions and
appropriate dispositions.
D. Ensure appropriate liaisons o ccur with child protective serv ices agencies
and professionals, educat ional institutions, medical and psycho logical
professionals, and the Chil d Abuse Prevention Council.