KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Police Department says two sergeants and seven detectives in its Crimes Against Children section have been suspended with pay while the department investigates claims that some cases haven’t been addressed in a timely manner.

The department said Thursday that it launched an internal probe after Chief Darryl Forte became aware of issues in the section in October.

The department says it is concerned that some serious cases with vulnerable victims may not have been handled appropriately.

A commander, sergeant and other detectives with experience in Crimes Against Children cases will manage the section’s caseload during the probe.

Crimes Against Children investigates cases in which children 16 years old or younger are victims of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, endangerment, parental kidnappings and custody violations.