StudiGuide 9: Crimes Against Children

Study Guide for the California Police Academy (P.O.S.T.) Written Examination

This StudiGuide course provides a practice review-testing resource for police academy cadets (based on the state of California’s Commission on Peace Officer Standard and Training 'POST' requirements) to help understand and pass the POST written examinations.

RECOGNIZE the crime elements required to arrest for and the crime classification as a misdemeanor or felony:

· child harm, injury, or endangerment

· corporal punishment or injury (physical abuse) of a child

· lewd or lascivious acts with a child

· annoying or molesting children

· possession of child pornography

· unlawful sexual intercourse

RECOGNIZE the specific law enforcement reporting requirements for Crimes Against Children.

RECOGNIZE the required documentation when investigating Crimes Against Children.

RECOGNIZE a peace officer’s responsibility for maintaining the confidentiality of the reporting party for Crimes Against Children.

RECOGNIZE the legal basis for entry without a warrant to protect a minor for Crimes Against Children.

RECOGNIZE the exigent circumstances that could lead an officer to reasonably believe that there is an immediate threat to a minor when investigating Crimes Against Children.

RECALL the statutory definition of child abuse.

IDENTIFY by category the professional occupations required to report suspected child abuse.

DISCUSS physical and behavioral indicators of:

• Physical child abuse

• Physical neglect of a child

• Mental suffering

• Sexual child abuse

DEMONSTRATE effective officer actions for conducting an interview with a child victim of abuse

Selected information from this written examination will also appear on your Mid-Course and End-of-Course Proficiency Tests.