|
CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN UNIT
Working to Protect our Children
 The Crimes Against Children Unit is responsible for investigating all reported cases of child abuse and neglect. There is one Sergeant, four Detectives and one Public Safety Aide assigned to the unit. Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit strive to work in a professional and empathetic manner with children, parents, medical authorities, and counselors.
Lakeland Police Crimes Against Children Unit
After determining that a crime has been committed and is to be investigated, the supervisor of the Crimes Against Children Unit assigns the case to a detective.
The duties of the unit are to investigate missing person cases and cases involving child abuse/neglect and sex crimes wherein the victims are under the age of 18 years. In reference to missing persons, it is the policy of the Lakeland Police Department to respond to and investigate all complaints of missing persons.
The Crimes Against Children Unit receives and reviews referrals of child abuse called into the statewide Child Abuse Registry from the Department of Children and families, as well as, the State Attorney’s Office and conducts appropriate criminal investigations. Follow-up investigations are conducted on those cases where arrests are made or suspicious incidents are reported by our uniformed officers.
Other responsibilities include interviewing and taking statements of witnesses and suspects, evidence collection, scene preservation, and execution of search and arrest warrants.
Members of the unit are called upon throughout the year to speak to schools, civic and service groups outside the department. They speak on the issues facing parents, teachers, students, medical personnel and others with regards to child abuse, abductions/runaways and the sexual exploitation of children.
During the course of 2006, the unit reviewed 1307 referrals from DCF and initiated 796 criminal investigations. There were 202 missing persons/runaways reported and investigated during this time.
The CAC Unit also has the responsibility of working the Sexual Predator/Offender. You can obtain a list and photographs of sexual predators and offenders for your area by visiting the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) website at www.fdle.state.fl.us. FDLE is required to place all registered sexual predators and offenders who qualify under the Florida Public Safety Information Act on the Internet. Flyers will contain a photo, a physical description, and address for each subject.
|
|
