If urgent questioning of a child under 12 years is required, who can authorize this?

In situations that require urgent questioning of a child under the age of 12, the authorization must come from a Superintendent who is not previously involved in the case. This requirement is part of the safeguarding measures established to ensure that the rights and well-being of the child are prioritized during the investigative process.

The rationale behind having a Superintendent authorize the questioning is to ensure that an officer with the appropriate level of authority and oversight is involved, while also maintaining a level of impartiality. By involving a Superintendent who has no prior engagement with the case, it minimizes the risk of any conflicts of interest and ensures the questioning is conducted appropriately and sensitively.

The other options, such as a police officer on duty, an inspector involved in the case, or a chief inspector, do not meet the necessary criteria for authorization in these circumstances, primarily because they may have been influenced by earlier aspects of the investigation or may not have the required level of oversight necessary in such sensitive situations.