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October 03, 2004
Child abuse cases dominate sergeant's job
By:Linda Wenger -- zwire.com
Sergeant Lyle Hansen of the Washington Police Department was one of three presenters who discussed police department operations with the Washington City Council, during a special meeting, Wednesday evening. (See Thursday's Journal for the story about the other two presentations.)
Hansen began by telling the council that he has been with the police department for 19 years and the city's investigation officer for 14 years. Hansen also said that the city has paid for additional training in interrogation and interviewing techniques.
After his introduction, Hansen warned the council that some of the slides they would see during his Power Point presentation might be difficult to view.
"My goal is not to shock you," Hansen explained, "but to open your eyes."
Hansen spends 70 percent of his time investigating child abuse cases. Of those cases, 55 percent involve sexual abuse of children. Some of the slides shown during his presentation included photographs of physically abused children. None of the children in the photos could be identified and Hansen said the cases shown had been resolved.
One of the children on the slides had been beaten with a leather belt. Hansen pointed to one large bruise that left the indentation of a belt buckle on the child, as well as the other end of the belt elsewhere on the child. Two children, including a baby, were had multiple burns caused by cigarettes. An autopsy photo of a 6-week-old baby showed three broken ribs, which were not broken during a single episode.
However, some physical and sex abuse cases involve the oldest and more helpless people in the community. Hansen has investigated abuse that occurred in a nursing home. He said the number of elder abuse cases is increasing.
A council member asked Hansen how long it takes to investigate a physical abuse case. Typically, Hansen said investigations take about one month.
Another council member wanted to know if child abuse cases go to court.
"Very few go to court," Hansen replied.
Posted by Nealus at October 3, 2004 12:48 PM
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