NCJ Number
62815
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 46 Issue: 11 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1979) Pages: 40,42,44-45,77
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A PROFESSIONAL YOUTH OFFICER DESCRIBES TECHNIQUES FOR DEALING WITH YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS. THESE INCLUDE WORK BY POLICE SCHOOL GUIDANCE OFFICERS AND HUMAN SERVICE INTERNS.
Abstract
SIXTEEN POSSIBLE PROGRAMS ARE FORESEEN AS WAYS TO DIVERT YOUTH. SOME ARE ALREADY ESTABLISHED, WHILE OTHERS REMAIN ONLY POSSIBILITIES. THESE ARE (1) A GUIDANCE ORIENTED YOUTH BUREAU, (2) A CRISES INTERVENTION TEAM, (3) A POLICE SCHOOL GUIDANCE OFFICER, (4) HUMAN SERVICES INTERNS, (5) TEMPORARY SUPERVISION, (6) YOUTH BUREAU SANCTUARY, (7) YOUTH OUTREACH UNITS, (8) SPECIAL AWARENESS PROGRAMS, (9) FAMILY WEEKEND WORKSHOP, (10) PLACEMENT SERVICES, (11) AN AWARENESS CENTER, (12) AN APPRAISAL OFFICER, (13) A TRAFFIC OMBUDSMAN, (14) A REFERRAL BOOK, (15) DEPARTMENT DIVERSIONS, AND (16) MINI ATHLETIC PROGRAMS. ALL ARE METHODS TO DIVERT ANTISOCIAL ACTIVITIES. ADEQUATE TRAINING OF PERSONNEL AND FIRM, BUT EMPATHETIC HANDLING OF THE YOUTH IN TROUBLE IS EMPHASIZED. EACH PROGRAM LISTED IS EXPLAINED IN SOME DETAIL, WITH SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS EXPLAINED. FOR EXAMPLE, THE YOUTH OUTREACH UNIT IS BASICALLY A PREVENTIVE EFFORT AIMED AT FINDING TROUBLED YOUTH BEFORE THEY GET INTO TROUBLE. IT IS DESIGNED TO GO WHERE THE YOUTH GO AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THEM. OPERATIONS CAN BE LIMITED PRIMARILY TO WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. POLICE/YOUTH RAPPORT IS PARAMOUNT. ANOTHER PROGRAM, THE TRAFFIC OMBUDSMAN AT THE YOUTH BUREAU LEVEL WILL TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE HOW TO OPERATE THEIR BICYCLES MORE CAREFULLY AND ADD TO THE DIVERSIONARY PROCESS. FOOTNOTES COMPLETE THE TEXT. (RFC)