Law Enforcement

The mission of the police force is to prevent crime, preserve order and to protect the rights, lives and property of all people.

The 34 police departments from cities and towns within Essex County work collaboratively with the Essex Children's Advocacy Center in an effort to assist child victims of sexual and physical abuse, along with their families. Law enforcement strives to effectively and thoroughly investigate these crimes, to enhance successful prosecution when appropriate. The law enforcement community also is dedicated to reducing the number of incidents of child sexual and physical abuse by educating the community regarding identification and reporting of child abuse concerns to the Department of Social Services and the local police departments.

As members of the CAC, police departments within your community will:

• Respond to the scene of the crime;
• Participate in a multidisciplinary team investigation to determine if a crime has been committed and the most appropriate action to take keeping the child's best interests in mind;
• Interview witnesses and suspects;
• Collect evidence and ensure that the proper chain of custody is adhered to;
• Apprehend perpetrators and assist in their prosecution;
• Make referrals for the victim and their family for medical evaluations and agencies for support;