Handle With Care for Law Enforcement

1. Determine Whether Children Are Present

• Name
• Age
• Relationship to parties
• School/Child Care Agency
• Demeanor
• Present during incident?
• Physically harmed

2. Health & Safety Checks on Children

• Visual Observation
• Asking the Child
• Determine if Treatment is Necessary
• Mandated Reporting to CPS

3. Talking With Children About the Incident

4. Avoid Interviewing Witnesses in the Presence of Children

5. Follow-up Interviews

6. Documentation – Child’s name, age and school/agency should be documented by the responding officer.

7. Avoid Subduing or Arresting Someone in the Presence of Children

8. Separating Children from the Care Giving Parent/Guardian

9. Resources; Provide parent/guardian information:

• Child Advocacy Centers
• Victim Resources
• HWC Coordinator

Reference: West Virginia Model Protocol: Law Enforcement On Scene Response to Domestic Violence When Children Are Present

10. Daily Review of Reports

• Reports will be reviewed each morning by the law enforcement agency.
• A “Handle With Care” notice will be generated for each child listed in each report.
• A designee at the law enforcement agency will ensure the “Handle With Care” notice is promptly forwarded to the designated school official (via cell, fax, text or phone).

11. Quarterly Handle with Care Team Meeting.

At least quarterly, key HWC stakeholders will review and evaluate HWC and make recommendations for improvement as necessary.

• Law Enforcement
• School
• Advocates
• Counselors
• Case workers
• Community partners
• Parents
• Head Start
• Before and After School Programs
• Child Care Agencies
• Others

The Team will assess the following to determine the effectiveness of HWC: academic achievements; truancies; and disciplinary reports. The meeting will not focus on specific cases.

Reference: West Virginia Model Protocol: Law Enforcement On Scene Response to Domestic Violence When Children Are Present