Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

If an officer believes a child is a runaway, what should the officer do?

1. Contact the media

2. Take the child into protective custody

3. Provide the child with identification

4. Call the child's school

The correct answer is: Take the child into protective custody

When an officer believes a child is a runaway, taking the child into protective custody is a critical step in ensuring their safety and well-being. The primary duty of law enforcement in such cases is to protect individuals, particularly minors, who may be at risk due to their absence from a safe environment. Taking the child into protective custody allows the officer to assess the situation more thoroughly, provide immediate care, and determine the appropriate next steps, which may include contacting the child's guardians or social services. This action is in line with the officer's responsibility to prioritize the safety of vulnerable populations, especially minors who may be fleeing unstable or dangerous situations. Other options, such as contacting the media or calling the child's school, do not address the immediate need for the child's safety and do not provide a protective measure in the moment. Providing identification may also not be pertinent at this stage, as the priority is to ensure the child is safe and to ascertain the circumstances surrounding their situation.