Juveniles and the Police (From Delinquency and Juvenile Control: A Sociological Perspective, P 121-143, 1989, William B. Waegel -- See NCJ-116652)

• NCJ Number: 116657
• Author(s): W B Waegel
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 23 pages
• Sale Source: Prentice Hall
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter examines juvenile and police relations with respect to arrest and decision-making by police officers.

Abstract

Early law-enforcement efforts focused on lower-class, urban, immigrant groups to maintain the status quo. Contemporary police mandate requires a more complex image of policing. Departmental policies and police behavior are not standardized, but reflect differences in local political climates and community expectations. Police behavior with respect to decision-making regarding the status of the offender is outlined. For example, discretionary judgements are made based on an officer's interpretation of a situation, whether complainants press for an arrest, available evidence, and the character of the youth. Table, figure, and references.