Saving Grace One Day At A Time

There are points to consider, know, and questions to ask during the investigation:

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• When you report abuse the investigating officer is going to be a key player. He or she can word things in such a way that tips the scale one way or the other. However their responsibility is to report what, when, and where. 

• The police are not certified psychologist, but you might get a young snot who thinks they are. [It's the only way I could put it.]  In our situation the officer commented that Grace seemed like she was trying to figure out if the question was the right one or not. The question here would be this, 1] how would he know anything about Grace and how she reactes in any given situation, and 2] has he had extensive child psychology certification?  

• Or, you might get an older officer who has seen too many domestic situations and has become calloused.

• The people involved in an investigation bring their own history into it and only see the pivot point and do not have a broad scope.

• He/she will interview the alleged perp probably more than once.

• He/she will interview you and call it, "coming in to fill in some details." Don't let this fool you. They are investigating you too and will try to establish a friendly repoire with you so you let your guard down. That's their job. Stick to the issue, don't buy into light chit-chat, don't joke at all, or smile a lot. You have to make them understand that this is serious business and you are taking it seriously.

• Don't say things with the thought that you want them to believe that you are not trying throw the perp under the bus because that's not true. Under the bus is right where you want him/her.

• The poloygraph:  If the perp agrees to a polygraph keep in mind that most often they are not admissible in court and the test can be  manipulated.

• You should question who administered the test?  The police have standard training, but a proper polygraph is monitored by a certified forensic specialist.

• As mentioned in other sections, don't count on or wait for the police to save your child. Get a lawyer for you and your child.

• Law enforcement are not bound by any legal or moral statute to tell you the truth during an investigation.

• They are also not bound by any time frame. In our case the police investigation went longer that CPS's involvement so they closed as unfounded.

• Do not count on the police or any other agency to fight for you child. Get a lawyer and get your child into therapy which will go a long ways in making sure you child is safe.

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