Police Work with Children

As society has become more complex, so have the problems facing the law enforcement officer. Not the least of these has been an increase in the number of young people committing acts bringing them within the jurisdiction of the juvenile courts. It is the police officer who has the first contact with three-fourths of these young people, as he does with several times as many others who commit offenses but do not reach the courts. The importance of the police officer’s role cannot be overemphasized because his contact is, in effect, the first step in the community’s corrective program which, for many of these children, will eventually involve a number of other agencies and professions. This publication deals with the role of the police as it relates to these young people.

The book discusses issues and problems which will have to be faced and resolved by the police and possibly ultimately by the courts. It also discusses and recommends principles and practices which are considered desirable on the basis of the existing law, public policy, and present knowledge of human behavior. Many of these principles in and practices are accepted by and are standard operating procedure in many police departments throughout the country.

This book has been developed by the Children’s Bureau in cooperation with the International Juvenile Officers’ Association, the International Association of Women Police, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the National Police Officers’ Association of America, based upon several years of observation, research, and consultation. This draft was distributed to specialists throughout the country including top police administrators, juvenile officers, professors of law and police science, judges, attorneys, probation officers, and a variety of professionals in the behavioral sciences. Not only is this material for use by police, but it is believed that it will be helpful to a variety of other persons concerned with youth in conflict with the law, such as judges, probation officers, attorneys, citizen groups, and all persons interested in improving police practices in their communities.