Procedures by which the Police shall Ascertain whether a Child has Special Needs, Invite a Competent Specialist and Ensure the Conditions for Satisfying Special Needs of a Child

Issued pursuant to
Section 59, Paragraph six
of the Law on the Protection of the Children's Rights

1. This Regulation shall prescribe the procedures by which the police shall:

1.1. ascertain whether a child has special needs and invite a competent specialist;

1.2. ensure the conditions for satisfying special needs of a child.

2. In order to ascertain whether a child has special needs, the police officer shall:

2.1. inspect the child visually;

2.2. carry out negotiations with the child;

2.3. contact the parents of the child, a guardian, the Orphan's and Custody Court, the foster family, the manager of a child care institution or the person authorised by the parents;

2.4. examine the information in the sub-system Information System for the Support of Minors of the Integrated Information System of the Interior;

2.5. if necessary, contact by telephone the family doctor or call to the family doctor's consultative telephone number.

3. A sign language interpreter shall be invited for a child with special needs (hereinafter - the child) who has a hearing impairment.

4. A psychologist shall be invited for a child with whom the communication is impaired.

5. The specialists referred to in Paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Regulation shall be invited according to agreements entered into between the police and the competent specialist.

6. The following shall be ensured to the child who has been conveyed to the police:

6.1. drinking water;

6.2. safe environment;

6.3. possibilities to use the restroom;

6.4. to the child with reduced mobility - a restroom adapted for persons with reduced mobility;

6.5. to the child with reduced mobility or hearing impairment - possibilities for movement.

7. The child shall be transported in a means of transport of police by complying with the requirements for the transport of children provided for in the laws and regulations. While the child is being transported in a means of transport of police, drinking water and possibilities to use the restroom shall be ensured to him or her.

8. If necessary, it is allowed to place the child in the place of temporary keeping.

9. If there are suspicions that the child is under the influence of alcohol, narcotic, toxic or other intoxicating substances, the police officer shall call an emergency medical care team of the State Emergency Medical Service.

10. Sub-paragraphs 6.4 and 6.5 of this Regulation shall come into force on 1 January 2016.

11. Until 1 January 2024, while its premises have not been adapted for persons with reduced mobility, the municipal police shall transport children with reduced mobility to the nearest State Police station that is adapted for persons with reduced mobility.

Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma

Minister for the Interior Rihards Kozlovskis

Translation © 2018 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)