NARCOTICS BUREAU
DETECTIVE DIVISION
LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Bureau Order Number: 5-11
Subject: Department of Children and Family Services-
Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Task Force
Multi-Agency Response Team (DCFS-MART)
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Effective Date: |
01/26/2009 |
Last Date Revised: |
09/02/2011 |
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Last Date Reviewed: |
04/01/2021 |
Next Review Date: |
04/01/2022 |
I. CONCEPT AND ISSUES
A. Purpose
The purpose of this bureau order is to provide policy and procedure surrounding the agreement with Narcotics Bureau and the Department of Children and Family Services: Multi-Agency Response Team that requires notification prior to all tactical operations (e.g., search warrants, parole/probation searches, etc.) where it is known that children are present. In addition, this order outlines the manner in which bureau investigators must document, in their reports, their observations and evidence of child endangerment relating to their narcotics trafficking case. The child endangerment case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office for filing consideration and disposition by Sheriff’s Department personnel.
B. Background
Through identification, notification and assistance during specialized operations, DCFS-MART has been able to provide necessary, and on many occasions, vital protective services to a community of children and families who were previously ignored when agencies were not effectively communicating to achieve a higher level of both public and child safety. In review of these successful collaborations with law enforcement, the result has led to an increase in child safety outcomes and a growing demand for the services of this specialized function.
Their goal is to assist you in your investigation. MART personnel are highly skilled in speaking with young children and have the ability to free up the Narcotics Investigator and the team, by taking charge of the placement and investigation where children are endangered.
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C. Scope of Policy
This policy is directed to all sworn Narcotics Bureau personnel. All sworn bureau personnel shall be accountable for the contents of this policy concerning the proper notification to DCFS-MART.
II. POLICY
A. Notification
The Department of Children and Family Services, Multi-Agency Response Team shall be notified on all search warrants, parole/probation searches, and other investigations where it is known that children are present. MART personnel shall be notified when it is discovered that children are present during any of the above operations, and it is determined that their safety may be in jeopardy (e.g., clandestine labs, narcotics seized, unsecured/illegal firearms, etc.) There are several offices strategically located throughout the County of Los Angeles (See attached matrix for your local MART). Their main office phone number is (323) 869-6895.
B. Time of Notification
The MART has the ability to roll out on emergency situations and assist with interviewing children and placing them, however, they will need as much advanced notice as possible to schedule an investigator to assist you with your situation. MART is a 24 hour/7 days a week operation.
C. Confidential Information
The information shared with the MART investigator will remain confidential amongst you and the Multi-Agency Response Team investigator. Their data base contains confidential information which shall not be shared without authorization from MART.
D. Case Filing Responsibilities
MART will conduct a complete forensic investigation, interview the children, and complete a supplemental report which MART personnel will provide. MART’s investigations are Children’s Dependency Court matters (300 WIC), which will be filed by MART personnel.
Criminal charges for narcotics violations and child endangering (273a PC) shall be filed by the Sheriff’s Department. The narcotics and child endangering crime classifications are a joint case assignment to the Station Detective Bureau and the Narcotics Bureau, with an SRD to Family Crimes Bureau. Bureaus with joint case assignment shall coordinate the joint filing of criminal charges.
The following details shall be included by the narcotics bureau investigating officer in all narcotics criminal complaints and arrest reports, where there is evidence of child endangerment:
a) Proximity of narcotics, paraphernalia, any toxic substance and/or firearms, to children who were present during the search or reside in the home.
b) A reference to MART personnel present at the location and whether they placed the children into protective custody for their safety.
c) A copy of the MART investigative report shall be included within the filing package prior to filing the case.
ORIGINAL SIGNED
LOY L. MCBRIDE, CAPTAIN
NARCOTICS BUREAU