THE CHILDREN ACT OF 1960 IS NOW IN FORCE IN SEVERAL OF INDIA'S UNION TERRITORIES. THIS ACT AND EARLIER CHILDREN ACTS PASSED BY INDIVIDUAL STATES COVER DESTITUTE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN, CHILDREN EXPLOITED OR VICTIMIZED BY ADULTS, AND DELINQUENT CHILDREN. THE ACTS PLACE A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY ON THE POLICE, WHO ARE USUALLY THE FIRST OFFICIALS WITH WHOM DELINQUENT CHILDREN HAVE CONTACT. THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE POLICE INCLUDE (1) IDENTIFYING DELINQUENTS, POTENTIAL DELINQUENTS, AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN AS EARLY IN LIFE AS POSSIBLE; (2) INVESTIGATING THE CASES; (3) REFERRING THE CASES TO THE JUVENILE COURTS OR OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCIES FOR TREATMENT; (4) PROTECTING CHILDREN THROUGH ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS; (5) PROTECTING PUBLIC LIFE AND PROPERTY AGAINST DELINQUENTS; AND (6) RENDERING GENERAL ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS LOCATING RUNAWAYS AND COUNSELING PARENTS. THE CHILDREN ACT EMPOWERS POLICE OFFICERS TO TAKE HOMELESS OR DESTITUTE CHILDREN INTO CUSTODY AND BRING THEM BEFORE CHILDREN'S COURTS OR CHILD WELFARE BOARDS WITHIN 24 HOURS. CHILDREN ARE RETURNED TO PARENTS UNLESS THEY ARE IN MORAL DANGER, DANGEROUS TO THE COMMUNITY, IN NEED OF MEDICAL CARE, OR THEIR BACKGROUNDS HAVE NOT BEEN VERIFIED. IN SUCH CASES THEY ARE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES, OR, IF SUCH FACILITIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE, TO A JAIL WHERE THEY ARE KEPT SEPARATE FROM ADULT OFFENDERS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING PRESENT PRACTICES INCLUDE (1)THE WEARING OF CIVILIAN CLOTHING IN FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS TO AVOID DRAWING ATTENTION TO A CASE; (2) TRAINING POLICE OFFICERS IN SOCIAL WELFARE AND IN THE USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES; (3) SENDING POLICE OFFICERS TO LECTURE IN SCHOOLS, CLUBS, AND COLLEGES ON ROAD SAFETY, GOOD CITIZENSHIP, THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POLICE, AND THE NEED FOR LAW AND ORDER IN SOCIETY; AND (4) ESTABLISHING JUVENILE BUREAUS IN EACH POLICE DEPARTMENT WHICH WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR JUVENILE AFFAIRS.