The Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Training and Technical Assistance Project, which is managed by the IACP in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, is a multi-year initiative focused on increasing the capacity of law enforcement and justice professionals to address juvenile victimization, delinquency, and crime from a holistic perspective. To accomplish this goal, we deliver a portfolio of products and services that:
- Increase the focus on juvenile justice issues.
- Encourage the development of innovative and effective prevention and/or intervention programs.
- Educate law enforcement and others on pertinent juvenile justice issues.
- Improve law enforcement’s effectiveness in promoting public safety.
Below is a brief video overview of IACP’s Juvenile Justice Training and Technical Assistance Program.
Description of Project Activities
IACP’s Youth Focused Policing Resource Center
The Youth Focused Policing Resource Center provides law enforcement with information, tools and resources focused on reducing youth delinquency, crime, and victimization, including:
- a clearinghouse of information and resources relating to youth crime, delinquency and victimization
- a searchable directory of law enforcement programs and services for youth from across the nation
- training and technical assistance available in the areas of juvenile justice, children exposed to violence, and child sex trafficking
- a searchable resource library, including sample documents from law enforcement programs for youth such as brochures, applications, and program flyers as well as juvenile justice and child protection policies, procedures, and reports
- information on IACP’s projects and resources
- a secure discussion forum for law enforcement officials to share information, obtain resources, and exchange ideas
- a Youth Program Impact Toolkit for evaluating law enforcement youth program(s), including a customizable evaluation template
To learn more, visit www.iacpyouth.org.
For any questions, e-mail iacpyouth@theiacp.org.
Classroom Training
We currently offer no-cost training workshops to law enforcement and juvenile justice professionals nationwide. Police, probation officers, school officials, social services and other justice stakeholders are encouraged to apply to attend any of the following trainings, however, law enforcement will be given priority for registration.
- Law Enforcement Responses to Adolescent Girls
This two-day workshop is designed to equip law enforcement with effective responses to situations that involve contact with girls aged 12-17 who may be suspects, offenders, or victims. Through lecture, interactive discussions and exercises, law enforcement officers will learn strategies they can use to increase positive interactions with, and decrease the probability of arrest or incarceration of, adolescent girls who may be at-risk of or involved in delinquent behavior. This training is best suited for first responders, patrol, youth/school resource officers, or juvenile detectives/investigators. Download a course description.
- Introduction to Juvenile Interview and Interrogation Techniques
This two-day workshop is designed to introduce, refine, or improve basic criminal investigative skills, tactics, and procedures for effectively interviewing and interrogating juveniles. Participants will use highly interactive exercises to analyze behavior, develop rapport, and understand adolescent behavior. This training is best suited for new officers or those with limited experience working with juveniles. Download a course description.
- Partnerships for Safe Schools
This two-day training introduces principles of school safety, presents model school safety programs, and demonstrates critical incident management techniques. This workshop is intended for multi-agency school safety teams representing law enforcement, schools, and other juvenile justice stakeholder agencies. Participants will receive knowledge on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crisis and will develop or evaluate their school safety plans. Download a course description.
- Reclaiming Our Youth Through Tribal Collaboration
This two-and-a-half day workshop assists tribal law enforcement in identifying high-risk juvenile offenses specific to their nations. Participants will develop action plans that they can implement to effectively address priority juvenile justice problems with particular emphasis on alcohol, drug use, and juvenile crime. Community and juvenile justice stakeholders are critical to the action plan development process. This course requires the submission of an application and a commitment on behalf of tribal leadership. Download an application or a course description.
- SHOCAP (Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program)
This three-day course introduces a comprehensive and cooperative case management process that enables the juvenile justice system to focus on youth who repeatedly commit serious crimes. SHOCAP brings together law enforcement, schools, juvenile corrections, and community partners to utilize all available resources to enable youth to become productive citizens. Agencies/individuals interested in reviewing this curriculum can access them using the links below. The curriculum is provided on an 'as-is' basis. Users will need to determine the relevance and accuracy of curriculum content for their jurisdictions.
Download electronic copies of the SHOCAP Curriculum:
Online Training
- Introduction to Juvenile Interview and Interrogation Techniques Online Training Series
This introductory-level series is designed to teach participants fundamental investigative skills, tactics, and procedures that result in effective juvenile interviews and interrogations, and are targeted to law enforcement who interview and/or interrogate youth. The four courses, “Introduction to Analyzing Juvenile Behavior,” “Introduction to Developing Rapport with Youth,” “Introduction to Juvenile Interviewing Techniques,” and “Introduction to Juvenile Interrogation Techniques,” are self-paced and available at no cost. Learn more or register now!
- Safe Schools Online Training Series
This introductory-level online series is designed to assist in the development and enhancement of school safety and crisis response plans, and is targeted to law enforcement, school officials, and allied stakeholders tasked with ensuring school safety. The four courses, “Forming Your Safe School Planning Team,” “Assessing School Safety,” “Preparing for a School Crisis,” and “Responding to a School Crisis,” are self-paced and available at no cost. Learn more or register now!
Webinars
- Effective Youth Diversion Strategies for Law Enforcement
On January 23rd, 2014, the IACP held a webinar intended to educate law enforcement and juvenile justice practitioners on youth diversion programs and strategies. It included a panel composed of a police chief, county prosecutor, and division director of juvenile services, who discussed development of their youth diversion programs, program successes, and challenges faced during implementation. A discussion of lessons learned was included to assist law enforcement agencies who are considering starting or improving a youth diversion program. View the archived webinar and handouts here.
Promising Practice Briefs
This series of periodic briefs provides information and examples of programs and practices successfully implemented to address pertinent juvenile justice issues. Topics include:
Technical Assistance
The IACP Improving Law Enforcement Responses to Youth Program is available to provide no-cost technical assistance (TA) to local, state, federal and international law enforcement and criminal justice agencies on topics related to the following areas of juvenile justice:
- Interview and Interrogation of Juveniles
- Law Enforcement Responses to Adolescent Girls
- School Safety
- Juvenile Sex Offenders
- Tribal Collaboration regarding Youth Crime and Victimization
- Bullying
- Youth and Technology
- Juvenile Repeat Offenders
- Youth Focused Policing
TA can be provided via telephone, electronically, or through on-site delivery. The IACP provides TA to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies seeking to:
- Improve or develop operations, policies, and/or programs related to youth crime and victimization;
- Facilitate of the implementation of enhanced or new programs;
- Evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives aimed to reduce youth crime and victimization.
The following are some examples of TA that IACP can provide:
- Specialized training to meet the needs of a jurisdiction;
- Policy review and guidance;
- Curricula review and guidance;
- Conference or event workshop presentations.
Download the application for technical assistance.
Needs Assessments
In 2011, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conducted a juvenile justice training needs assessment survey of law enforcement around the nation to identify challenges and training needs facing law enforcement in addressing juvenile crime, delinquency and victimization. The survey identifies law enforcement needs and priorities, and will enable IACP, as well as the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), to assist the law enforcement community in their efforts to address juvenile justice issues. There were 672 responses to this national survey from participants representing 404 law enforcement agencies from 49 states and the District of Columbia. Survey responses include data on department training budgets and needs, juvenile justice operations, and the most pressing juvenile justice/youth issues identified by jurisdictions. Click below to view a summary of the survey results.
Download the final report.
Download report highlights.
For more information, please e-mail JuvenileJustice@theiacp.org or call 1-800-THE-IACP ext. 831.
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This project is supported by Cooperative Agreement No. 2010–MU–FX–K591 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. |
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