The response must be a minimum of 150 words and a minimum of 2 references.

Textbook-Territo, L., & Sewell, J.D. (2019). Stress management in law enforcement (4th ed.). Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press. ISBN: 9781531015756.

***ROBERT***

  For week 4 of CJUS 840, students are asked to identify stressors unique to child exploitation and pornography investigations. Next, students are to determine what are the elements that will affect the investigator’s response to working with these types of cases involving children. Lastly, students should provide a biblical perspective on how the Bible relates to the information provided.

         With the advancements in technology, law enforcement agencies are seeing a rise in the possession, production, and distribution of child pornography (Territo & Sewell, 2019). People have easy access to the internet from phones and computers which makes it easier to access illegal material on the internet. Social networks have been an issue for crimes against juveniles as predators can use these networks to communicate with children (Territo & Sewell, 2019). Officers assigned to responding to and investigating child crimes face different stressors. The issue with responding to these calls is the repeated obscene, toxic, and disturbing videos/pictures of child victims (Territo & Sewell, 2019). Other stressors unique to these types of calls include a shortage of officers qualified to investigate the crime, pressure to save victims, and unusual time demands for online chat (Territo & Sewell, 2019).

           Investigators face problems with the need for more investigators, technological, and organizational resources (Territo & Sewell, 2019). These investigators also have inconsistent hours at times to ensure they are completing their investigation. For example, an investigator might have to work at nighttime to ensure they can speak to the suspect if they are in an undercover operation. This can impact an investigator’s family life as they may not have a set schedule. This type of work can be very rewarding for investigators who are assigned this job. Though it can be difficult at times, these investigators are protecting children from dangerous people. The issue with officers who are investigating child crimes is that it can have effects on the officer’s personal, family, and emotional functioning (Territo & Sewell, 2019).

Biblical Perspective

           Police officers have a duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves. This includes protecting children from the evil of this world. Several verses can be used to support the idea of protecting those from evil. Psalm 82:3 states, “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute” (ESV, 2009). The next verse discusses how the weak should be rescued from evil. This verse states, “rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (ESV, 2009). Lamentations 2:19 discusses lifting in faith for future generations. This verse states, “Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint for hunger at the head of every street.” (ESV, 2009).

References

Territo, L., & Sewell, J.D. (2019). Stress management in law enforcement (4th ed.). Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press. ISBN: 9781531015756.

The Holy Bible: New Testament: ESV English Standard Version. (2009). Wheaton, IL: Crossway