NCJ Number
101929
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: (1984) Pages: 203-217
Date Published
1984
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This Canadian study examines the influence of official processing (by the public, the police, and the courts) on the definition of female delinquency as distinguished from male delinquency.
Abstract
Data on 1,000 juveniles processed by the Ottawa police from May 1, 1980, through September 15, 1980, were obtained from police records. Data covered personal characteristics (age, sex, address, and nature of residence), previous police contacts, offense characteristics, how the offense became known to the police, and case processing. The chance of a to the police, and case processing. The chance of a juvenile being labeled delinquent by the police increased with the juvenile's age, offense severity, and the number of previous police contacts. These factors increase the probability that a juvenile will be taken to court if the police investigation indicates an offense has been committed. Contrary to findings reported in the literature, the police do not distinguish between males and females in case processing decisions. In reporting delinquency, however, the public does distinguish between male and female deviancy. Police investigations and decisionmaking prevent these distinctions from influencing case processing. 6 tables and 22 references.