NCJ Number
107783
Date Published
Unknown
Length
46 pages
Annotation
This report examines police administration of restitution programs for juveniles diverted from further penetration into the juvenile justice system, with emphasis on national standards for police diversion and a mail survey of police practices and views.
Abstract
National standards consistently oppose police administration of juvenile diversion programs, based on the opposition of the International Association of Chiefs of Police to the concept of police-sponsored informal probation programs. A mailed survey to 165 municipal police agencies and county sheriff's departments received 45 responses. Some police agencies viewed restitution as a valid role for the courts but not for law enforcement, while others directly administer programs of financial restitution and community service. Police-administered restitution tends to occur in jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000, although it also occurs in much larger jurisdictions. Examples of programs are the community service program in San Diego, Calif.; the combined financial and community service restitution program, using civilian employees, in Pocatello, Idaho; and a combined program that is essentially cost free, in Shawnee, Okla. The programs all appeared to work well. Due process and other concerns suggest, however, that law enforcement administration of diversion programs should be discouraged unless external agencies in the community are unwilling to sponsor the program. Tables and 19 references.