NCJ Number
54045
Journal
PROBATION AND PAROLE Issue: 9 Dated: (FALL 1977) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE POLICE-PROBATION DIVERSION PROJECT, WHICH PROVIDES FOR NEIGHBORHOOD DISPOSITION OF MINOR JUVENILE CASES, IS DESCRIBED. THE PROGRAM IS CREDITED WITH SAVING POLICE TIME AND PROVIDING BETTER SERVICE FOR ALL PARTIES.
Abstract
THE PROJECT, WHICH WAS STARTED IN APRIL 1973 AS A JOINT EFFORT OF THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION AND THE YOUTH AID DIVISION OF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, CONSISTS OF TWO INTAKE PROBATION OFFICERS FROM THE BRONX FAMILY COURT WHO HANDLE THEIR INTAKE FUNCTIONS FROM THE YOUTH AID DIVISION OFFICE AT THE 41ST PRECINCT POLICE STATION. WHEN A POLICE OFFICER ARRESTS A JUVENILE FOR A MINOR OFFENSE, A CHECK IS MADE TO SEE IF THE YOUNGSTER CAN BE RELEASED ON RECOGNIZANCE. IF SO, THE ARRESTING OFFICER MAY RELEASE THE ALLEGED OFFENDER AFTER CALLING THE 41ST PRECINCT TO SET A DATE AND TIME FOR ALL PARTIES TO APPEAR FOR AN INTAKE HEARING AT THE STATION. THE OFFICER DOES NOT HAVE TO APPEAR; THE ARREST SHEET AND AN ACCOMPANYING REPORT PROVIDE THE POLICE DATA. THE INTAKE APPOINTMENTS ARE SET AT HALF-HOUR INTERVALS TO REDUCE WAITING TIME. TO DATE THE PROGRAM HAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE NUMBER OF PATROL MANHOURS SPENT IN JUVENILE INTAKE HEARINGS. THIS HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL THAT THE USE OF REPORT FORMS INSTEAD OF PERSONAL POLICE APPEARANCES WAS INSTITUTED CITYWIDE IN 1977, FOR AN ESTIMATED SAVING OF 50,000 MANHOURS. SINCE THE INTAKE OFFICERS ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY ARE ABLE TO ESTABLISH RAPPORT WITH COMMUNITY SERVICES AND MAKE MORE APPROPRIATE REFERRALS. THEY ARE ALSO ABLE TO WORK OUT RESTITUTION. TECHNICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED; THESE ARE REVIEWED. A FORMAL EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM IS URGED. (GLR)