Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

Officers have no arrest authority for what type of child?

1. Runaway child

2. Truant child

3. Both A and B

4. Dependent child

The correct answer is: Both A and B

The correct answer reveals an important aspect of how law enforcement interacts with certain categories of children. In this context, both runaway children and truant children are not typically subject to arrest authority by officers. Runaway children are minors who leave their home or legal guardians without permission and are often regarded as in need of protection rather than punitive action. Police intervention in cases of runaways usually focuses on locating the child and ensuring their safety rather than making an arrest. Truant children, on the other hand, are those who miss school without valid justification. While truant behavior is concerning and can have legal implications for guardians or parents, it does not directly translate to an arrest of the child themselves, as the focus is often on addressing the underlying issues related to the educational system and the child's welfare. In contrast, the term "dependent child" refers to those children who are under the custody of the state or in foster care, where officers may have different protocols to follow, typically involving protective measures rather than arrest. Thus, recognizing that both runaway and truant children are handled through protective and supportive interventions rather than arrests underscores the rationale behind the answer that officers have no arrest authority for these types of children.