NCJ Number
41173
Date Published
1977
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THIS GRANT WAS DESIGNED TO CONTINUE THE SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT'S JUVENILE OFFICER; THE PROGRAM OBJECTIVE WAS TO IMPROVE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITIES IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND DIVERSION.
Abstract
THE JUVENILE OFFICER'S DUTIES EXTEND BEYOND SIMPLE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, COVERING ALL JUVENILE RELATED MATTERS, TO INCLUDE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. HE ALSO HOLDS RANK AS DETECTIVE AND THEREFORE INVESTIGATES COMPLAINTS AND MAINTAINS JUVENILE COMPLAINT RECORDS AND FOLLOW-UPS. THE INSTITUTION OF THE JUVENILE OFFICER HAS IN TURN ACCELERATED THE NUMBER OF JUVENILE RELATED COMPLAINTS. THE PROJECT IS WELL RECEIVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND UNQUESTIONABLY DIVERTS SOME YOUTHS FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. BUT HAVING CHOSEN TO EMPHASIZE THE ROLE OF THE JUVENILE OFFICER WITHIN THE ROLE OF SPECIFIC POLICE DUTIES AND POWERS, THE PROJECT IS OVEREXTENDED AND AS YET UNABLE TO FULLY RESPOND TO ALL OF THE COMMUNITY DEMANDS AND POLICE RESPONSIBILITIES PLACED ON IT. IN ADDITION, THE PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPUTER SERVICES SHOULD ENHANCE THE PROJECT'S RECORD KEEPING, IN TURN, FREEING MORE OF THE JUVENILE OFFICER'S TIME FOR RESOLVING ACTUAL COMPLAINTS....ELW