NCJ Number
53308
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 26 Issue: 12 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 16,18,25
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE IMPORTANCE OF JUVENILE OFFICERS IN PROACTIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCEEDINGS IS EXPLORED, WITH ATTENTION GIVEN TO PREVENTION, MANPOWER, TRAINING, AND REPORTS AND RECORDS.
Abstract
JUVENILE OFFICERS MUST BE EQUAL IN RANK WITH ALL OTHER DIVISION HEADS IN A POLICE DEPARTMENT. IT IS NECESSARY TO INSURE THAT THE JUVENILE DIVISION OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS AND IS STAFFED ADEQUATELY. GOOD JUVENILE OFFICERS MUST BE ABLE TO RELATE TO THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES INVOLVED AND MUST BE PATIENT, HONEST, TRUSTWORTHY, AND CONCERNED WITH THE NEEDS OF YOUTH. APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT MUST BE AVAILABLE TO JUVENILE OFFICERS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO CONDUCT THEIR DUTIES EFFICIENTLY, AND RAPPORT WITH YOUTH IS ESSENTIAL. A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF POWER AND ENOUGH PERSONNEL MUST BE DELEGATED TO JUVENILE OFFICERS SO THAT INVESTIGATIVE WORK AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS CAN BE CONDUCTED. JUVENILE OFFICERS MUST HAVE AT THEIR DISPOSAL AN APPROPRIATE RECORD SYSTEM WHEREBY THEY CAN DETERMINE PATTERNS OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AND MUST BE TRAINED IN JUVENILE PHILOSOPHY. WITHOUT AN ADEQUATE RECORD SYSTEM TO MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH YOUTH, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THEIR JOB EFFECTIVELY. IN A RECORDKEEPING SYSTEM, THERE MUST BE A MECHANISM WHEREBY UNIFORMED PERSONNEL CAN SUBMIT FIELD CONTACT REPORTS TO THE JUVENILE DIVISION. THIS ENABLES JUVENILE INVESTIGATORS TO DO FOLLOWUP INVESTIGATIONS. THE NEED TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN THE JUVENILE DIVISION IS EMPHASIZED, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO YOUTH WHO PERPETRATE AND YOUTH WHO ARE VICTIMS OF CRIME. (DEP)