Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 81-17-6 - Composition of Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit6.1. The unit shall consist of a minimum of six State Police sworn members.6.1.1. A Unit Director, appointed by the Superintendent, charged with the responsibility of overseeing the members and activities of the unit.6.1.2. Five (5) Troop Coordinators, appointed by the Superintendent, charged with carrying out the unit's responsibilities within their assigned Troop area.6.1.3. Additional Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit Investigators may be assigned to the unit and would answer directly to a Troop Coordinator.6.2. All members are to be specifically trained for and dedicated to the assistance of county CPS caseworkers in the investigation of suspected child abuse and neglect and the coordination of these investigations with other law enforcement.6.3. Unit Director's Duties and Responsibilities:6.3.1. Act as immediate supervisor for the Troop Coordinators.6.3.2. Oversee all State Police members assigned to the unit.6.3.3. Coordinate activities of the Unit with CPS.6.3.4. Assist CPS in developing and refining protocols for improving identification and prosecution of suspected criminal acts of child abuse and neglect.6.3.5. Oversee the regulation and maintenance of the statewide statistical index on child abuse and neglect convictions resulting from convictions for violations of §§ 61-8D-2, 61-8D-2a, 61-8D-3, 61-8D-3a. 61-8D-4 or 61-8D-4a. 6.3.5.1. Ensure that any statistical information released is of an aggregate nature and does not contain any information that may be construed to identify an individual case or persons within a case.6.3.5.2. Oversee the provision of forms to law enforcement agencies, circuit clerks, and parole officers to facilitate submission of the appropriate information for the statistical index.6.3.6. Submit an annual report to the Legislative Joint Committee on Government and Finance 6.3.6.1. The report is to be submitted before December 31st of every year.6.3.6.2. The report is to contain the statistical index referred to in 6.3.5. of this Rule.6.3.6.3. The report may include recommendations for statutory or program reforms that will assist the unit or further promote the goals of the unit.6.3.6.4. The report shall not contain information of a specific nature that would identify individual cases or persons.6.3.7 Actively promote the achievement of the objectives set forth in 4.1 through 4.10 of this Rule.6.3.8. Provide the West Virginia State Police Communication Center with a list of all Troop Coordinators and Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit Investigators, their respective areas of responsibility and their contact numbers. This list is to be updated with any changes of the above information.6.3.9. Ensure that all other directives and responsibilities of the unit are fulfilled.6.4. Troop Coordinator Duties and Responsibilities:6.4.1. Troop Coordinators answer to their immediate supervisor, the Unit Director.6.4.2. The Troop Coordinator's foremost task is the timely and effective investigation of criminal allegations involving child abuse, neglect, sexual assault and sexual abuse.6.4.3. Determine the appropriate response when contacted by the WVSP Communications Center, upon the request of a CPS caseworker.6.4.4. Determine the appropriate response when receiving the following allegations from CPS through the CPS-State Police GroupWise Account or through other approved means:6.4.4.1. Allegations of serious physical injury, sexual abuse and sexual assault received pursuant to § 49-6A-2, Persons Mandated to Report Suspected Abuse and Neglect are to be investigated.6.4.4.2. Credible child abuse or neglect allegations are to be investigated.6.4.4.3. Reports of critical incidents to children resulting from abuse or neglect are to be investigated.6.4.5. Coordination of criminal investigations, within their assigned Troop, involving the efforts of the West Virginia State Police and CPS.6.4.6. Receiving, organizing and utilization of the information obtained from DHHR, the county prosecuting attorney's office, MDIT and other law enforcement agencies to ensure a proper, complete and timely investigation to prevent the duplication of actions within the investigation.6.4.7. Upon approval of the Unit Director, combine investigative efforts with other law enforcement agencies with regard to child abuse, neglect, sexual assault and abuse.6.4.8. The Troop Coordinator is responsible for the scope, security and completeness of assigned investigations and will periodically inform the Unit Director of the investigations' progress.6.4.9. Contact the County Supervisors of the DHHR for the purpose of problem solving in an effort to enhance cooperation with CPS and to further promote the abilities to thoroughly investigate complaints/allegations of child abuse and neglect.6.4.10. Participate in local programs and projects that promote the interaction between law enforcement, county prosecutors, service providers and other involved bodies such as the county MDIT, local Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funded STOP Teams and local task forces or workgroups.6.4.11. Act as immediate supervisor for any assigned Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit Investigators. 6.4.11.1. Assign duties to, oversee and coordinate actions of Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit Investigators assigned to the Coordinator's specific Troop.6.4.12. Actively participate in all law enforcement duties, including the investigation of criminal complaints and motor vehicle crashes, patrol of state roads and all other duties and responsibilities as legally required of, and permitted to, members of the State Police.6.4.13. Perform all other duties assigned by the Unit Director.6.5. Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit Investigator Duties and Responsibilities: 6.5.1. The Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit Investigator answers to their immediate supervisor, the Troop Coordinator.6.5.2. The Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit Investigator's foremost task is the timely and effective investigation of criminal allegations involving child abuse, neglect, sexual assault and sexual abuse as assigned to the Investigator by the Troop Coordinator.6.5.3. The Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations Unit Investigator is responsible for the scope, security and completeness of assigned investigations and will periodically inform the Troop Coordinator of the investigations' progress.6.5.4. Participate, as assigned, in local programs and projects that promote the interaction between law enforcement, county prosecutors, service providers and other involved bodies, the county MDIT, local VAWA funded STOP Teams and local task forces or workgroups.6.5.5. Actively participate in all law enforcement duties, including the investigation of criminal complaints and motor vehicle crashes, patrol of state roads and all other duties and responsibilities as legally required of, and permitted to, members of the State Police.6.5.6. Perform all other duties assigned by the Troop Coordinator.