Can the police become involved in a child visitation matter?
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Can the police become involved in a child visitation matter?
My son’s father came to my house the other day with 2 uniformed officers wanting to get my son for the day. We have a verbal agreement that he gets him every other weekend but nothing written on paper nor any court order. I felt that the officers where not right in doing this. Was it legal? My son’s father is always telling me, he “knows” people in the police department.
Asked on January 3, 2012 under Family Law, Georgia
Answers:
Stephanie Squires / SquiresLegal Services
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Was it legal for police officers to accompany your sons' father to your house? Yes, often law enforcement will "keep the peace" between parents. Did they tell you that they were there to make sure you let your son go with his father? That may not have been proper as there is no order to enforce. There is a fine line between keeping the peace and enforcing orders. Police officers can not enforce visitation unless there is a court order. If you feel that they acted improperly you can complain to their superior, however, I would suggest that you do so in writing, carefully explaining what happened, and explaining that your son's father knows people in the department who are now stepping over the line as a favor to him. If they were out of line and doing him a favor then there could be serious consequences for those officers.
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