Law enforcement officers determine whether there is sufficient evidence that a law has been broken, gather evidence for prosecution, determine whether there is sufficient evidence to identify and support the arrest of the perpetrator, and protect the victim from further abuse.
Law enforcement officers may provide:
Support to the child/adolescent and family
Information from the investigative interviews of the child/adolescent, family, offender, and other witnesses to the district attorney
Knowledge of criminal law, elements of crimes, and the criminal justice system
Evidence for prosecution, such as witness statements, forensic evidence, and crime scene evidence
A determination of whether there is sufficient evidence to establish probable cause to arrest a suspect
Protection to family members and CPS workers during the intervention process
Experience in investigative interviewing of children
