There is not much in this world that police officers, throughout their careers, have not seen or dealt with in the line of duty. Their exposure to the diverse realm of society's dysfunctional aspects, some individual misfits along the way, and the nature of a variety of absolutely horrific crimes that, to an ordinary citizen, might be conceivable only in a fictional movie, lend credence to their reality-based perspectives that may, at times, be fueled with cynicism and disillusionment.
In short, cops have seen and heard it all, and it takes a lot to shock them. On a daily basis, they face dangerous environments, complex situations, and diverse challenges. However, in their work, they can also see the positive side of life and are better able to appreciate the good things they may possess and experience in their own personal lives.
Whether they are parents or not, and based on the looking glass of their careers, many cops have a valid understanding of the importance of proper parenting and the overall effect it has on children. For those who are parents, they may become better parents as a result of this awareness gleaned from their work and life experiences.
Children are innocent, vulnerable, and dependent upon adults for their care, sustenance, and nurturing. How they are treated and the environment in which they are raised is significant in the developmental stages of their lives and their outcome as healthy and productive individuals as they grow and mature. Both their physical and emotional needs must be met, and they not only deserve but have the right to be safe and secure.
For cops who are supposed to maintain an objective approach at all times, probably one of the most difficult issues they have to deal with is child abuse. Oftentimes, the nature of what they see and hear is profoundly disturbing, and it is not uncommon for them to be greatly impacted by their exposure to some of the most unconscionable acts on children.
A case in point is the recent one in Los Angeles, California, in which a 5-year-old, over a period of time, was reportedly tortured by his mother and her girlfriend. The young victim was allegedly burned all over his body with cigarettes, had his hand held over a stove and burned to the degree he could not completely open his hand, his genitals were burned, he was forced to sit in his own urine and feces, and he had a tooth broken with an exposed nerve. He was apparently physically and psychologically abused over the course of time.
When others noticed scratches on his back and questioned the little boy about them, he replied, "A dog attacked me." When he was asked about a noticeable knot on his forehead, the victim said, "I fell down some stairs." In addition, the child was supposedly denied the basic necessities of life - food and water - and, reportedly, suspended from an area with his hands above him and physically beaten.
This situation causes even the most veteran, seen-it-all, police officer to gasp with horror and react with outrage at the tremendous victimization this child suffered. "The treatment of this 5-year-old is akin to a level of the treatment we hope our military personnel would never encounter yet this treatment came to this child at the hands of those in a position of trust," said Lt. Vincent Neglia, of the Los Angeles Police Department's Abused Child Unit. Even Neglia, who is well versed and extremely savvy concerning the gamut of child abuse, found the nature and level of this abuse abhorrent to the ultimate degree. "This is the type of thing you would see in the most extreme circumstances in torture cases. How this kid has lived, despite these injuries, is truly amazing," said Assistant Police Chief James McDonnell.
If there is any incident that motivates an officer to confront philosophical questions about life, the worst case of child abuse that this one exemplifies will stimulate such introspection. "It causes you to question the humanity of some people... whether they have a heart or soul," said Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger.
"The officers and detectives I worked with on forensic child abuse cases all had a special place in their hearts for these smallest of victims. Having the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) attending Pediatric Intensivist hold a Forensic Abuse Consultation Team (FACT) meeting to present the medical evidence could be devastating," says Catherine Harrison, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia who has 20 years of experience and is a nationally certified case manager.
Police officers who are exposed to child abuse cases such as the one in Los Angeles, whether they openly acknowledge it or not, are deeply affected by what they see and hear. The effects of this type of victimization cuts to the core of their own heart and soul and, at times, may cause them to question their role and the tasks that accompany it. Additionally, these officers may become so outraged and angry over what they encounter that they want to lash out in ways that may not be conducive to their personal well being or constructive to their professional status.
Therefore, it is vitally important for police officers to have outlets to vent their frustrations and release their anger, voice their opinions, state their feelings, and pound a pillow - if necessary - for a manageable approach to deal with the troubling aspects of their job related to child abuse. Within a police agency, the top leadership should recognize the inherent stressors and difficulties that accompany the nature of work dealing with child abuse and should be supportive in all respects.
The battle to combat child abuse is one that cannot be waged merely by law enforcement as one agency alone. Thus, interagency cooperation and collaboration is essential in many degrees and forms. Communication between police, social services, mental health agencies, hospitals, schools, and other allied professionals - as well as the community - is an integral component to uncovering child abuse in its early stages before it progresses to a level similar to or equal to that of the case in Los Angeles. "Being part of a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, police officer, social workers, nurses, and chaplains makes the work bearable because of the support from your peers," says Catherine Harrison, LCSW.
The impact of child abuse affects not only its primary and direct victims, but it also profoundly touches the lives of police officers who become involved in the initial response, investigation, and follow-up of such cases. Frequently, law enforcement officers are affected in ways that leave a permanent imprint replete with an indelible scarring memory that remains with them throughout their careers and beyond.
