Senior Police Officer Promises Action Against Officers Who Mishandle Child-Abuse Reports

Assistant Commissioner of Police Lisborn Michael has urged members of the public to report police officers who neglect their duties or improperly handle allegations of child abuse.

Michael, who heads the Criminal Investigations Department, made the appeal during the National Child Protection Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday night.

He acknowledged that deficiencies exist within the police response system and confirmed that officers have previously been investigated and arrested.

“I’m not afraid to arrest any police officer,” Michael told the gathering. “I have arrested quite a number of them.”

Michael publicly provided his telephone number, 464-5599, and invited people who are dissatisfied with the handling of their reports to contact him.

He explained that all reports involving child sexual abuse are transferred to the police Special Victims Unit, which operates under the Criminal Investigations Department.

Investigators are expected to work with the victim, arrange a medical examination, obtain statements, interview the suspect and execute warrants to recover physical evidence.

Once sufficient evidence is gathered, the suspect may be charged and the file sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for the necessary court proceedings.

Michael said police and the Family and Social Services Division generally maintain a good working relationship.

However, his presentation was challenged by an abuse survivor who said police failed to communicate with her after she repeatedly reported being sexually abused by her father.

The survivor said she gave several statements but received no meaningful updates. The case only advanced after a DNA test, obtained during child-support proceedings, confirmed that her father had fathered her child.

She told Michael that victims deserve to know what is happening with their cases instead of being repeatedly told to allow police to do their jobs.

Michael responded that he would make inquiries and reactivate the process where necessary.

The police response also came under criticism from other participants, including a mother who said her daughter had been targeted online by an adult man posing as a young girl.

The mother said the suspect allegedly used photographs to blackmail the child and attempted to arrange a sexual encounter. She claimed she conducted much of the investigative work herself but had been waiting eight years for the matter to be resolved.

Michael committed to obtaining her information and reviewing the complaint.

Minister Rawdon Turner later appealed to the police high command and rank-and-file officers to adopt a more proactive approach to protecting children.

“We need to stop this brush-off attitude,” Turner said.