Preventative Policing in Queensland Schools (From Crime at School: Seminar Proceedings, 1987, Canberra, Australia, P 149-154, 1987, Dennis Challinger, ed. -- See NCJ-134653)

• NCJ Number: 134667
• Author(s): D Jeffries; T Rand; S Leivesley
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

Because juvenile crime in Queensland, Australia, schools is a major concern for police and the educational system, the Queensland Police Department has adopted a policy of juvenile diversion based on a cautioning system.

Abstract

The policy emphasizes the police role in preventive work, and the success of the approach has been demonstrated by a recidivism rate of 7.6 percent for young offenders whose records were searched over a 10-year period. Low reoffending by juveniles has been attributed to the cautioning system and to the approach by trained Juvenile Aid Bureau (JAB) officers who establish a direct relationship with young offenders and their families to prevent reoffending. The JAB has the capacity to visit the child's home to assess the home environment, parental interest, and the child's behavior. This assessment allows other professionals and the police to work closely in assisting individual children and their families. The focus of JAB work is on the child's needs rather than on the enforcement; where necessary, there is long-term followup of children. The Police-School Liaison Unit was formed as part of JAB in 1985. This unit has initiated several programs, including Adopt a Cop, the Protective Behaviors Program, the Safety House Program, and training programs for police and educators. Future preventive policing efforts should focus on proactive policing, the establishment of committees for children at risk in schools, and incident analysis through computer mapping.