NCJ Number
145847
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (1993) Pages: 123-126
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article responds to the questions posed by E.R. Maguire (see NCJ-145845) concerning professionalization of the police in child sexual abuse cases.
Abstract
While Maguire calls for improving police "success" in handling this case, he fails to define success either in terms of prevention, victim assistance, or offender rehabilitation and/or punishment. This author argues that, until the ultimate objective is defined, analysts cannot know whether police agencies are further away from that objective than other child protection agencies or whether increased professionalization of the police is necessary or even desired. Advocates of professionalization must recognize that law enforcement agencies are first and foremost responsible for using legal means to prevent people from breaking the law and for detecting, apprehending, and prosecuting those who do break the law. While Maguire indicates that large police departments have progressed further in the field of child sexual abuse, in fact, smaller agencies are more likely to enjoy better communication and cooperation with other agencies involved in child protection.