The explotation, abuse or dangerous neglect of a child has a lasting and tragic impact on the youngster, the family, and our entire community.  One of the most stressful, and most rewarding experiences of being a police officer is the responsibility and the opportunity to help ensure the well being of our children.

When a report of child abuse or negligence arises, officers communicate with Washington state Child Protective Services (CPS) and other providers to fully and quickly investigate and resolve the matter.  If a situation requires immediate intervention our officers can temporarily remove a child from an unsafe environment or family situation.  Our primary concern in these cases is the protection and safety of the youth, both immediately and in the long term.

State law (See RCW below) requires that certain caregivers including teachers and health care providers report eivdence of child abuse to the police or CPS.  The members of the Public Safety Department maintain a strong relationship with the faculty and staff of the Blaine School District and other organizations and individuals who work with our youth.  Most of our calls regarding abuse or neglect come from residents or extended family members who observe suspicious and worrisome signs that something is seriously wrong in a youngster's environment.

Washington State Child Protective Services  1-800-794-9402 or 1-800-562-5624

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children   1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
The National Center ("NCMEC"), is an exceptional resource for a variety of information about child safety, and not just kidnapping.  Neglect, abuse and exploitation are some of the topic covered, with detailed information and recommendations for parents, guardians and other caregivers.

Blaine School District   360-332-5881
Blaine's award winning school system is dedicated to the education and safety of its students.  By policy and law their staff and faculty report information regarding child abuse to law enforcement and Child Protective Services.

Revised Code of Washington 26.44.030:
(1)(a) When any practitioner, county coroner or medical examiner, law enforcement officer, professional school personnel, registered or licensed nurse, social service counselor, psychologist, pharmacist, employee of the department of early learning, licensed or certified child care providers or their employees, employee of the department, juvenile probation officer, placement and liaison specialist, responsible living skills program staff, HOPE center staff, or state family and children's ombudsman or any volunteer in the ombudsman's office has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department as provided in RCW 26.44.040. (b) When any person, in his or her official supervisory capacity with a nonprofit or for-profit organization, has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect caused by a person over whom he or she regularly exercises supervisory authority, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency, provided that the person alleged to have caused the abuse or neglect is employed by, contracted by, or volunteers with the organization and coaches, trains, educates, or counsels a child or children or regularly has unsupervised access to a child or children as part of the employment, contract, or voluntary service. No one shall be required to report under this section when he or she obtains the information solely as a result of a privileged communication as provided in RCW 5.60.060.