NCJ Number
44247
Editor(s)
J R ADAMS,
M A O'DEA,
S J SANDLER
Date Published
1977
Length
171 pages
Annotation
STANDARDS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR POLICE IN DEALING WITH JUVENILES; THE ROLE THEY NECESSARILY PLAY IN HANDLING JUVENILE PROBLEMS AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS ROLE FOR POLICE ORGANIZATION AND PERSONNEL ARE CONSIDERED.
Abstract
POLICE FORCES ARE NOT PRIMARILY INSTITUTIONS COMMITTED TO COPING WITH THE PROBLEMS OF JUVENILE JUSTICE; THEREFORE, THESE STANDARDS ARE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE OVERALL NATURE OF POLICE ACTIVITY. STANDARDS ARE PRESENTED DEALING WITH FOUR AREAS OF CONCERN: (1) ROLE OF THE POLICE IN HANDLING JUVENILE PROBLEMS; (2) THE AUTHORITY OF THE POLICE TO HANDLE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND CRIMINAL PROBLEMS; (3) IMPLICATIONS OF THE POLICE ROLE FOR POLICE ORGANIZATION AND PERSONNEL; AND (4) THE NEED FOR INCENTIVES AND ACCOUNTABILITY -- DIRECTIONS FOR NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS AND FURTHER RESEARCH. EACH STANDARD IS FOLLOWED BY A COMMENTARY WHICH DISCUSSES AND EXPLAINS THE STANDARD AND EXAMINES SOME OF THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION. SOME OF THE MAJOR PROVISIONS INCLUDE: POLICE INVESTIGATIONS INTO CRIMINAL MATTERS SHOULD BE SIMILAR WHETHER THE SUSPECT IS AN ADULT OR A JUVENILE; JUVENILES SHOULD RECEIVE AT LEAST THE SAME SAFEGUARDS AVAILABLE TO ADULTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM; ALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS SHOULD DESIGNATE A UNIT OR OFFICER SPECIFICALLY TRAINED FOR WORK WITH JUVENILES; AND POLICE POLICIES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED WITH APPROPRIATE INPUT FROM OTHER JUVENILE JUSTICE AGENCIES. APPENDIXES CONTAIN A DISCUSSION OF THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN URBAN SOCIETY AND LISTING OF RELEVANT STANDARDS FROM OTHER VOLUMES IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE STANDARDS SERIES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (VDA)