Final answer:
Mandated reporters such as police officers, medical professionals, and teachers are required to report abuse because their jobs involve protecting people, and they are often in a position to identify signs of abuse that victims might be reluctant or unable to report themselves.
Step-by-step explanation:
Police officers, medical professionals, and teachers are mandated reporters primarily because protecting people is a fundamental aspect of their roles. They are required to report because they are regularly in positions where they may observe or suspect abuse. In 2010, there were more than 3.3 million reports of child abuse, and professionals made a significant proportion of these reports. Mandated reporting is essential because many victims of abuse are reluctant to report incidents themselves due to various reasons, such as fear of retaliation, considering it a private matter, or believing that the police won't take action. As individuals who have a responsibility to safeguard the welfare of others, particularly children, mandated reporters play a critical role in the early identification and intervention in cases of abuse and neglect.