Based on the work of the National Summit on Law Enforcement Leadership in Juvenile Justice, this paper presents recommendations for practices and policies that advance a more constructive role for law enforcement agencies in their interactions with youth.
The 33 recommendations were developed through the summit's working group conversations. Underlying many of the recommendations is the need to advance public safety by holding young people accountable while prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment. Another theme prevalent throughout the deliberations was the need to address ongoing racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system. The 33 recommendations are divided into eight topic areas. These areas are making juvenile justice a priority within law enforcement agencies; building partnerships among law enforcement, youth and their families; collaboration and information-sharing; promoting alternatives to arrest, court referral, and detention; expanding data collection and promising initiatives; pathways to school completion; responding to youth with behavioral health conditions and trauma histories; and amplifying law enforcement's advocacy on juvenile justice reform. This report also presents highlights from the summit deliberations, outlining barriers to juvenile justice reform that law enforcement leaders and their agencies confront, along with solutions for overcoming these obstacles. The report profiles successes in police-youth relations in the communities represented at the summit. Appended list of summit advisors and participants and the project staff.