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Manual of Policy and Procedures / Volume 5 - Line Procedures / Chapter 2 - Juveniles

5-02/045.20 - Assisting the Department of Children and Family Services in Entering a Residence or Dwelling


5-02/045.15 - Notifications Concerning Juvenile Detentions
5-02/050.00 - Juvenile Court Petition Requests

When a request is made by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for assistance in entering a residence or dwelling to conduct a child welfare investigation, the request will be presented to the station Watch Commander for authorization.

The Watch Commander shall not authorize deputies to enter the residence or assist a DCFS worker to enter a residence unless:

  • The resident freely consents to the entry;
  • It is determined that there is probable cause to believe that a child inside the residence is in immediate danger; or
  • The DCFS worker has a warrant.

Upon entering a residence in support of DCFS, the role of the deputy is to protect the DCFS worker conducting the investigation.  Deputies shall take law enforcement action if they observe a crime.  The Sheriff’s Department still retains responsibility for incidents that have a criminal investigation component.

DCFS requests for assistance and the facts justifying the Watch Commander’s decision shall be documented by the handling Deputy in the Deputy’s Daily Work Sheet unless an Incident Report is written.

This section does not reflect the Deputy’s responsibility for investigating a Suspected Child Abuse Report (SCAR) via the E-SCAR system or a child abuse related call for service.