NCJ Number
36874
Journal
Personnel and Guidance Journal Volume: 54 Issue: 8 Dated: (APRIL 1976) Pages: 435-437
Date Published
1976
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE DALLAS (TX) POLICE YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM (YSP) WHICH UTILIZES THE PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (HRD) IN AN EFFORT TO DIVERT DELINQUENTS AND REDUCE RECIDIVISM.
Abstract
THE YSP IS AN OPERATIONAL UNIT OF THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT'S YOUTH SECTION. THE PROGRAM INVOLVES USING POLICE OFFICERS AND CIVILIAN COUNSELORS IN HELPING ROLES. A KEY INNOVATIVE ELEMENT OF THE PROGRAM IS THE EMPLOYMENT OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS TO WORK IN AN INTEGRATIVE MANNER WITH POLICE OFFICERS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. THE YSP SERVES ARRESTED YOUTHS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 10 AND 16. THE YSP PROCESS CONSISTS OF A COOPERATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE POLICE INVESTIGATOR AND THE COUNSELOR. THE INVESTIGATOR SCREENS ALL ARRESTED YOUTHS, REFERRING APPROPRIATE CASES TO YSP. THE YOUTHS ARE ASSIGNED A COUNSELOR, WHO GUIDES THEM THROUGH A THREE STAGE PROCESS OF INTAKE, TREATMENT, AND FOLLOW-UP WHICH LASTS APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. THE PRINCIPLES AND PROGRAMS OF THE HRD MODEL ARE APPLIED IN BOTH THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STAFF SELECTION AND TRAINING AND THE TRAINING-AS-TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR THE JUVENILES. THE PROGRAM HAS HAD CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS IN REDUCING JUVENILE RECIDIVISM AND IN INCREASING THE PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS OF THE PARTICIPATING JUVENILES. THE POLICE-BASED NATURE OF THE PROGRAM, THE EMPLOYMENT OF COUNSELORS IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT SETTING, AND THE HRD APPROACH TO TRAINING AND TREATMENT ARE CITED AS THE MAJOR FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROGRAM'S SUCCESS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)