NCJ Number
55818
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 46 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1979) Pages: 22-24
Date Published
1979
Length
3 pages
Annotation
SUGGESTIONS FOR POLICE OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO INVESTIGATE AND EVALUATE COMPLAINTS OF UNGOVERNABILITY ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
DESPITE SHIFTS IN LAW AND PHILOSOPHY REGARDING THE ROLE OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN DEALING WITH UNGOVERNABLE YOUTHS AND OTHER STATUS OFFENDERS, POLICE REMAIN THE INITIAL CONTACT FOR MOST PARENTS WITH COMPLAINTS OF UNGOVERNABILITY AGAINST THEIR CHILDREN. IN RESPONDING TO SUCH COMPLAINTS, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OFFICERS TO REALIZE THAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH FAMILIES IN CRISIS. OFFICERS SHOULD EXPECT MANIPULATIVE AND DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF BOTH PARENTS AND CHILD AND SHOULD FOCUS ON INTRODUCING ORDER INTO WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE A CHAOTIC SITUATION. IN INTERVIEWING THE FAMILY, THE OFFICER SHOULD PROCEED IN A STRUCTURED, COMPOSED MANNER, MAKING A SPECIAL EFFORT TO REMAIN IMPARTIAL. IN EVALUATING THE COMPLAINT ITSELF, OFFICERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE IS NO ESTABLISHED STANDARD OF UNGOVERNABILITY, ALTHOUGH MOST DEFINITIONS HAVE EMPHASIZED THE PARENTS' REPEATED INABILITY TO CONTROL THE CHILD. IT WOULD SEEM, HOWEVER, THAT A YOUTH CANNOT BE CONSIDERED UNGOVERNABLE UNLESS HE OR SHE HAS SPURNED THERAPY SOUGHT BY THE PARENTS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. IN ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INCIDENT OR INCIDENTS THAT LED THE PARENTS TO CALL THE POLICE, THE OFFICER SHOULD BE CAREFUL TO AVOID THE IMPRESSION OF A ONE-SIDED INQUISITION. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, FAMILIES SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO VIEW THE PROBLEM AS NOT THE CHILD'S ALONE AND TO ACCEPT TREATMENT IN LIEU OF FILING A PETITION OF UNGOVERNABILITY WITH THE COURT. (LKM)