GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: GENERAL OPERATIONS
TITLE: CHILD & DEPENDENT ADULT SAFETY
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
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CHILD & DEPENDENT ADULT SAFETY
337.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines to ensure that children and dependent adults are not left without appropriate care in the event their caregiver or guardian is arrested or otherwise prevented from providing care due to actions taken by members of this department.
This policy does not address the actions to be taken during the course of a child abuse or dependent adult investigation. These are covered in the Child Abuse and Adult Abuse policies.
337.2 POLICY
It is the policy of this department to mitigate, to the extent reasonably possible, the stressful experience individuals may have when their parent or caregiver is arrested. The Lincoln Police Department will endeavor to create a strong, cooperative relationship with local, state and community-based social services to ensure an effective, collaborative response that addresses the needs of those affected, including call-out availability and follow-up responsibilities.
337.3 PROCEDURES DURING AN ARREST
When encountering an arrest or prolonged detention situation, officers should make reasonable attempts to determine if the arrestee is responsible for children or dependent adults. In some cases this may be obvious, such as when children or dependent adults are present. However, officers should inquire if the arrestee has caregiver responsibilities for any children or dependent adults who are without appropriate supervision. The following steps should be taken:
(a) Inquire about and confirm the location of any children or dependent adults.
(b) Look for evidence of children and dependent adults. Officers should be mindful that some arrestees may conceal the fact that they have a dependent for fear the individual may be taken from them.
(c) Consider inquiring of witnesses, neighbors, friends and relatives of the arrestee as to whether the person is responsible for a child or dependent adult.
Whenever reasonably possible, officers should consider reasonable alternatives to arresting a parent, guardian or caregiver in the presence of his/her child or dependent adult.
Whenever it is safe to do so, officers should allow the parent or caregiver to assure children or dependent adults that they will be provided care. If this is not safe or if the demeanor of the parent or caregiver suggests this conversation would be nonproductive, the officer at the scene should explain the reason for the arrest in age-appropriate language and offer reassurance to the child or dependent adult that he/she will receive appropriate care.
337.3.1 AFTER AN ARREST
Whenever an arrest is made, the officer should take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the arrestee’s disclosed or discovered children or dependent adults.
Officers should allow the arrestee reasonable time to arrange for care of children and dependent adults. Temporary placement with family or friends may be appropriate. However, any decision should give priority to a care solution that is in the best interest of the child or dependent adult. In such cases the following guidelines should be followed:
(a) Allow the person reasonable time to arrange for the care of children and dependent adults with a responsible party, as appropriate.
Officers should consider allowing the person to use his/her cell phone to facilitate arrangements through access to contact phone numbers, and to lessen the likelihood of call screening by the recipients due to calls from unknown sources.
(b) Unless there is evidence that it would not be in the dependent person's best interest (e.g., signs of abuse, drug use, unsafe environment), officers should respect the parent or caregiver’s judgment regarding arrangements for care. It is generally best if the child or dependent adult remains with relatives or family friends that he/she knows and trusts because familiarity with surroundings and consideration for comfort, emotional state and safety are important.
Except when a court order exists limiting contact, the officer should attempt to locate and place children or dependent adults with the non-arrested parent, guardian or caregiver.
(c) Provide for the immediate supervision of children or dependent adults until an appropriate caregiver arrives.
(d) Notify the Alabama Department of Human Resources, if appropriate.
(e) Notify the field supervisor or Watch Commander of the disposition of children or dependent adults.
If children or dependent adults are at school or another known location outside the household at the time of arrest, the arresting officer should attempt to contact the school or other known location and inform the principal or appropriate responsible adult of the caregiver’s arrest and of the arrangements being made for the care of the arrestee’s dependent. The result of such actions should be documented in the associated report.
337.3.2 DURING THE BOOKING PROCESS
During the booking process, the arrestee should be allowed to make telephone calls to arrange for the care of any child or dependent adult in accordance with the Temporary Custody of Adults Policy.
If an arrestee is unable to arrange for the care of any child or dependent adult through this process, or circumstances prevent them from making such arrangements (e.g., their behavior prevents reasonable accommodations for making necessary calls), a supervisor should be contacted to determine the appropriate steps to arrange for care. These steps may include additional telephone calls or contacting a local, county or state services agency.
337.3.3 REPORTING
(a) For all arrests where children are present or living in the household, the reporting member will document the following information:
Name
Sex
Age
Special needs (e.g., medical, mental health)
How, where and with whom or which agency the child was placed
Identities and contact information for other potential caregivers
Notifications made to other adults (e.g., schools, relatives)
(b) For all arrests where dependent adults are present or living in the household, the reporting member will document the following information:
Name
Sex
Age
Whether the person reasonably appears able to care for him/herself
Disposition or placement information if he/she is unable to care for him/herself
337.3.4 SUPPORT AND COUNSELING REFERRAL
If, in the judgment of the handling officers, the child or dependent adult would benefit from additional assistance, such as counseling services, contact with a victim advocate or a crisis response telephone number, the appropriate referral information may be provided.
337.4 DEPENDENT WELFARE SERVICES
Whenever an arrestee is unwilling or incapable of arranging for the appropriate care of any child or dependent adult, the handling officer should contact the appropriate welfare service or other department-approved social service agency to determine whether protective custody is appropriate.
Only when other reasonable options are exhausted should a child or dependent adult be transported to the police facility, transported in a marked law enforcement vehicle or taken into formal protective custody.
Under no circumstances should a child or dependent adult be left unattended or without appropriate care.
337.5 TRAINING
The Training Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that all members of this department who may be involved in arrests affecting children or dependent adults receive approved training on effective safety measures when a parent, guardian or caregiver is arrested.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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