Police encounters with Juveniles/Section II

Police and Juvenile Crime The role of the Police is particularly important because young people’s views and attitudes toward law enforcement are shaped by their first encounter with a police officer (p 118)

Police and Juvenile Crime The police role with juveniles is expanded because they handle many noncriminal matters referred to as status offenses Status Offenses are acts such as truancy or running away that are considered offenses when committed by juveniles but are not considered crimes if committed by adults

Police Roles and Responsibilities “The police are the most visible officials in the criminal justice system”(118) Roles of the Police : Law Enforcement Order Maintenance Service Function

Police Roles and Responsibilities “Police officers generally view the law enforcement function as the primary role, while order maintenance and service tasks have been typically regarded with mixed feelings, ranging from ambivalence to disdain” (120)

Police-Juvenile Relations The majority of police encounters with juveniles are in response to minor offenses that involve an order maintenance function of law enforcement “The nature of the police-juvenile encounter can make a significant difference on police-juvenile relations”(121) Research by Sherman(1997) and Taylor, Turner, Esbensen & Winfree(2001) pg 121

Police Roles and Discretion “Discretionary authority among police is greater at the lowest levels of the organization, giving the line-level officer on patrol a considerable amount of discretion in carrying out and discharging his or her duties”(122)

Police Roles and Discretion While the police tend to look on their service function with some disdain, arguments made for the service function emphasize(123): 1. Police responses to requests may result in more effective law enforcement 2. Response to calls may prevent crime later 3. Response to service calls help establish a positive community presence 4. Response to service helps enhance flow on info from community

Race as a Factor in Juvenile Arrests Is the overrepresentation of Black juveniles in police arrest rates due to racial bias?(124)