Police Law Enforcement

A survey of nearly 1,000 law enforcement leaders reveals a large gap between the role the law enforcement community believes it should have in the juvenile justice system and the role it actually plays. The survey, part of a joint initiative of MacArthur and the International Association of Chiefs of Police, assesses the attitudes, knowledge, and practices of law enforcement leaders relative to the juvenile justice system and is intended to help inform and enhance their role in system issues and reform. Results showed that while 79 percent of respondents agreed they should be heavily involved, only about one in five said they exercise a significant role in their community’s juvenile justice system. The survey also showed that a large majority (88 percent) of police department executives believe there should be a separate justice system for juveniles, and that only 23 percent believe their local juvenile justice system improves public safety.