ALBUQUERQUE CITY OFFICIALS ARE PUSHING FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE AGENCIES THAT INVESTIGATE AND HANDLE CHILD ABUSE CASES. THAT'S THE MAIN IDEA TO COME OUT OF MAYOR BERRY'S TASK FORCE ON HOW TO IMPROVE RESPONSES TO CHILD ABUSE. THE EFFORT IS THE RESULT OF LAST YEAR'S UNTIMELY DEATH OF NINE YEAR OLD OMAREE VARELA, WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY KICKED TO DEATH BY HIS MOTHER AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO HIS HOME BY APD.
FORMER A-P-D OFFICER SISI MIRANDA WAS THE TASK FORCE COORDINATOR. SHE SAYS THE BEST THING THEY CAN DO IS GET POLICE AND C-Y-F-D TOGETHER WITH MORE INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUAL CASES.
APD HAS ALSO PUT SPECIFIC TRAINING PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO TRAIN OFFICERS ON HOW TO IDENTIFY CASES OF CHILD ABUSE.
