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KIDS AND COPPERS

NCJ Number
34768
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 8 Issue: 3&4 Dated: (SEPTEMBER/DECEMBER 1975) Pages: 221-230
Author(s)
G SMITH
Date Published
1975
Length
10 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A PARTICIPANT-OBSERVATION STUDY OF AN AUSTRALIAN ADOLESCENTS DELIQUENT GROUP IN WHICH THE ATTITUDES OF JUVENILES TOWARD POLICE AND JUVENILE INTERACTIONS WITH POLICE WERE EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR FIRST DESCRIBES THE METHODS USED TO GAIN ENTRY INTO THE ADOLESCENT GROUP. REPRESENTATIVE COMMENTS OF JUVENILES ARE THEN PRESENTED. THESE COMMENTS WERE TAKEN VERBATIM FROM TAPE RECORDED CONVERSATIONS AND INTERVIEWS WITH THE JUVENILES. FROM THESE STATEMENTS, IT CAN BE SEEN THAT THE JUVENILES GENERALLY HAVE A LOW OPINION OF POLICE; THAT THEY CONTEND THAT POLICE OFTEN BEAT UP YOUTHS THEY HAVE DETAINED; THAT JUVENILES ALLEGE THAT POLICE DRINK WHILE ON DUTY; THAT THEY DO NOT TRUST POLICE; AND THAT THEY BELIEVE POLICE ARE ILL-INFORMED. IMPLICATIONS OF THESE FINDINGS FOR POLICE POLICIES ARE DISCUSSED.