NCJ Number
58632
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE BRITISH METROPOLITAN POLICE AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS, SUCH AS SOCIAL WORKERS AND DOCTORS, IN COMBATTING CHILD ABUSE IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE IN THIS AREA MUST PROCEED FROM AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE FACT THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO ALLOW THE RULE OF LAW, THEIR PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THE INTERESTS OF CHILDREN TO TAKE SECOND PLACE TO THE NEEDS OF SOCIAL WORKERS, DOCTORS, AND PARENTS. EVEN THOUGH THIS HARDLINE DETECTION AND PROSECUTION APPROACH OF THE POLICE IS DIFFERENT FROM THE REHABILITATION APPROACH OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT, AN ATMOSPHERE OF COOPERATION CAN BE GENERATED. AREA REVIEW COMMITTEES WERE ESTABLISHED IN RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 1973 TUNBRIDGE WELLS STUDY GROUP RESOLUTIONS IN ORDER TO ENSURE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS ON CHILD ABUSE CASES. HOWEVER, TOTAL POLARIZATION REMAINS BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS IN SOME OF THESE COMMITTEES. THE ROLE OF THE POLICE HAS OFTEN BEEN CURTAILED BY OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF THE POLICE ROLE IN CASE CONFERENCES. EVEN THOUGH POLICE HAVE THE LEGAL OBLIGATION TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE CHILD ABUSE CASES, THEY HAVE USED DISCRETION AND PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT TO ENSURE THAT SUCH ACTIONS ARE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD. IN THIS REGARD, THEY HAVE EXAMINED THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL POLICE TRAINING AND EDUCATION IN THIS AREA. THE POLICE ROLE IN WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN ON STUDY OF A NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE REGISTER IS AN EXAMPLE OF COOPERATION. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP)