TNN understands police officers are growing weary of having to clean up the mess created by staff at the Department of Child and Family Services as residents of care homes under their stewardship appear able to simply saunter out of these facilities as they please.
Yet when these situations occur, police are called on to go in search of these young people who are then deemed as “missing persons”, with no help from DCFS staff.
TNN understands these individuals often return to the care homes of their own volition, at times without police being informed.
One officer we spoke with on condition that we not name them indicated that police are in a catch 22 position when these situations occur.
The feeling is, limited resources are being spent searching for these individuals when officers should be working to prevent or solve crime. However if the searches are not conducted and something were to happen to one of the “missing persons”, police could be accused of negligence.
TNN understands one care home resident, a minor, who has gone “missing” on several occasions was recently arrested following a police chase for attempting to steal a motorcycle.
It is understood officers feel DCFS should be doing more to ensure minors under their watch are not allowed to simply leave care facilities when they choose. Not only because of the burden it places on police resources, but more importantly, the risk at which these young people could place themselves.
TNN has reached out to police as well as DCFS for comment, the BPS responding to TNN query.
The Bermuda Police Service cannot comment on situations which occur at facilities which do not fall under its jurisdiction.
If I may, I suggest your query about residential facilities would be better placed with the Department of Child and Family Services.
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