NCJ Number
129792
Journal
Crime to Court Dated: (November 1990) Pages: 17-18
Date Published
1990
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Police officers can help prevent juvenile crime by becoming involved in liaison programs in schools, following appropriate procedures when they apprehend juveniles, and helping convince parents of a juvenile offender that their son or daughter needs treatment or help from law enforcement or a trained counselor.
Abstract
Juvenile offenders generally do not start with serious crimes. Instead, they have usually been involved in less serious crimes such as vandalism or shoplifting or have created problems at home or school. They often come from dysfunctional families. Therefore, police officers should read as much as they can about juveniles and juvenile crime. They should also learn how to talk to parents, what to say to them, and what family and youth counseling facilities are available in the community. In addition, they should support and become involved in organizations that promote and provide constructive activities for youth. Their own department's training officer or the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy has more information about the handling of juveniles and the prevention of juvenile crime.