16511. (Added by renumbering Section 16506 by Stats. 1982, Ch. 978, Sec. 45.)

This chapter shall not be construed to give the department or county welfare departments any law enforcement powers. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed in such a manner as to give the department any law enforcement powers, nor to change or interfere with the responsibility of law enforcement, probation officers and departments to take direct action on behalf of children as provided in Article 6 (commencing with Section 625) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 and Article 7 (commencing with Section 650) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2. Nor shall this part in any way relieve persons administering and working in child welfare services programs from the obligation resting on all citizens to report crimes to duly authorized law enforcement agencies. Nothing herein shall be construed as changing in any way the responsibility of probation officers and departments for initiating juvenile court proceedings as set forth in Article 7 (commencing with Section 650) of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of Division 2, nor other duties and responsibilities assigned to them by law.