44B-Handling Youthful Offenders 2019

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Policy & Procedure February 2013 Page 1 of 14 Lexington Police Department Subject: Handling Youthful Offenders Policy Number: 44B Accreditation Standards: Reference: 1.1.3; 1.2.7; 44.1.1; 44.2.1; 44.2.2; 44.2.3; 44.2.4; 44.2.5; 82.1.2; Effective Date: 2/26/13  New  Revised Revision Dates: 1/24/19 By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police The Municipal Police Institute, Inc. (MPI) is a private, nonprofit charitable affiliate of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. MPI provides training and model policies and procedures for police agencies. This policy is an edited version of MPI Policy 1.15, “Handling Juveniles.” GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES It is generally recognized that juveniles who engage in anti-social conduct present problems to society that are different from those of adults who engage in similar activity. As a result policy and procedures related to youthful offenders differ from those related to adult conduct and is based on the concept that the juvenile offender is often not yet hardened and may be influenced to voluntarily comply with community standards with appropriate attention. There is no question that the attitude and actions of police can have considerable impact on the first offender who is often a frightened youngster during their first encounter with police. How that child is treated during that time can leave a lasting impression. At the same time, it must be remembered that the hardened juvenile criminal can be just as dangerous as any adult. Although police officers are not expected to be social workers, they must have an understanding of the social and psychological factors that contribute to juvenile misbehavior and crime. By the nature of their duties, the police should be familiar with undesirable conditions in the community that breed delinquency. The prevention of juvenile crime has a high priority and successfully addressing it can pay large dividends to the community. As a preventive measure, officers should frequently check those areas, places and buildings that have been particularly prone to delinquent behavior and question juveniles found in suspicious situations. Energetic patrol, impressing the fact of a consistent police presence, can be a most effective deterrent. The Department should also cooperate actively with all other agencies, public or private, that can be of assistance in deterring and controlling juvenile delinquency. Police officers play a very important part in the Juvenile Justice System. Patience, understanding and firmness, together with close cooperation with court officials in the processing of juvenile cases, are necessary for the system to operate most effectively.