POLICE FORCES ARE NOT PRIMARILY INSTITUTIONS COMMITTED TO COPING WITH THE PROBLEMS OF JUVENILE JUSTICE; THEREFORE, THESE STANDARDS ARE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE OVERALL NATURE OF POLICE ACTIVITY. STANDARDS ARE PRESENTED DEALING WITH FOUR AREAS OF CONCERN: (1) ROLE OF THE POLICE IN HANDLING JUVENILE PROBLEMS; (2) THE AUTHORITY OF THE POLICE TO HANDLE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND CRIMINAL PROBLEMS; (3) IMPLICATIONS OF THE POLICE ROLE FOR POLICE ORGANIZATION AND PERSONNEL; AND (4) THE NEED FOR INCENTIVES AND ACCOUNTABILITY -- DIRECTIONS FOR NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS AND FURTHER RESEARCH. EACH STANDARD IS FOLLOWED BY A COMMENTARY WHICH DISCUSSES AND EXPLAINS THE STANDARD AND EXAMINES SOME OF THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION. SOME OF THE MAJOR PROVISIONS INCLUDE: POLICE INVESTIGATIONS INTO CRIMINAL MATTERS SHOULD BE SIMILAR WHETHER THE SUSPECT IS AN ADULT OR A JUVENILE; JUVENILES SHOULD RECEIVE AT LEAST THE SAME SAFEGUARDS AVAILABLE TO ADULTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM; ALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS SHOULD DESIGNATE A UNIT OR OFFICER SPECIFICALLY TRAINED FOR WORK WITH JUVENILES; AND POLICE POLICIES SHOULD BE DEVELOPED WITH APPROPRIATE INPUT FROM OTHER JUVENILE JUSTICE AGENCIES. APPENDIXES CONTAIN A DISCUSSION OF THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN URBAN SOCIETY AND LISTING OF RELEVANT STANDARDS FROM OTHER VOLUMES IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE STANDARDS SERIES. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (VDA)