NCJ Number
86758
Date Published
1981
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The Ottawa Police Force Youth Liaison Section (YLS) is organized to coordinate police work with juveniles, maintain liaisons with community social agencies on behalf of juveniles, and determine juvenile dispositions.
Abstract
The YLS is composed of 17 officers: an inspector, a staff sergeant, two sergeants, and 13 constables. Five constables are involved in the school safety-patrol program, and six constables process juveniles. School-patrol officers give safety lectures on such topics as pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, and the block-parent programs. The two officers assigned to the children's safety village are responsible for presenting films, lectures, and demonstrations to all school boards of the region. The village consists of model buildings, streets, traffic signs, and lights, permitting students from nursery to grade 6 to participate in safety demonstrations. Youth patrol officers are responsible for liaison with juvenile court, maintenance of the social history card filing system, processing of juveniles coming in contact with the section, and operation of crime prevention programs. The investigative function is assigned to another section. Officers selected for the YLS must have at least 5 years service and an interest in juvenile relations. Initial training is by a senior youth officer, and inservice training is provided through specialized courses at the Ontario Police College. Since the YLS is primarily an information and referral center rather than an investigative or counseling body, the maintenance and updating of the social history card filing system is crucial to its operation. Also, guidelines have been developed for disposition decisions. Seven notes and three suggestions for readings are provided.