The research sought to demonstrate that police departments assigning youth cases to regular adult detectives would have a higher referral rate than those with a full time youth officer. The relationship between referrals and the amount of time devoted to youth work, the supervision of youth officers, and the impact of organizational change on referrals were also examined. Using telephone interviews and written questionnaires, data on organizational structure and attitudes toward juveniles were obtained from 161 Chicago area police departments. Personal interviews were conducted in 12 cases. Referral rates were obtained from the Uniform Crime Reports. Several case studies based on this information are presented to illustrate the range of organizational structures that juveniles can encounter and how these bureaucracies can affect youth officers. Data analysis confirmed the major hypothesis in each of the six counties studied, and showed that referral rates could not be attributed to differences in crime rates or characteristics of youth officers. Furthermore, establishing a youth division tended to lower the referral rate, while abolishing it tended to raise the rate. Survey responses indicated that youth officers had considerable independence concerning referral and diversion decisions. Data also showed that among officers with multiple responsibilities, as time for work with youths increased, referral rates declined. Nearly all respondents felt that young people should receive special treatment and should be diverted from court whenever possible. The study recommends changes in organizational structure as a method of equalizing referral rates across communities without imposing quotas on referrals. Statistical tables, organization charts, and a bibliography of approximately 75 references are included. (Author abstract modified)