Is a police officer permitted to conduct a criminal investigation into an allegation of sexual assault against a minor?

The court in Blackburn v. County of Los Angeles (1974) 42 Cal.App.3d 175, 178, 116 Cal.Rptr. 622 held a criminal investigation fell within the [212 Cal.App.3d 284] protection of section 821.6: " 'When the duty to investigate crime and to institute criminal proceedings is lodged with any public officer, it is for the best interests of the community as a whole that [the officer] be protected from harassment in the performance of that duty.' "