While the data provides a useful guide to the macro issues pertaining to the implementation of the Act, it does not necessarily illuminate some of the positive and exciting human stories associated with the Act.
A critical feature of the Young Offenders Act is the recognition of the importance of involving the community in dealing with juvenile offending.
In recognition of the significance and respect that certain people in particular communities command, the Act specifies that a respected community member may be invited by police to issue a caution.
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A number of cautions have been issued by respected community members to date, and as the Youth Liaison Officers continue to forge links with local communities, the greater the opportunity for cautions to be delivered by non-Police Service personnel.
The NSW Bureau of Crime Research and Statistics is currently conducting an evaluation of the satisfaction of conference participants to the conference process. While this research is yet to be completed, considerable anecdotal information has been captured regarding the effectiveness of conferences. The police attending conferences have reported a variety of positive outcomes, including: an appreciation by the young people of the gravity of their behaviour; the willingness of family members and support people to assume greater responsibility for assisting the young person to avoid further offending; and of victims gaining reparation and satisfaction that their pain and/or hardship has been acknowledged and resolved.
There are other initiatives and developments occurring, such as implementation of the Calaghan Report into the Police Citizens Youth Club movement and the initiation of the Police and Community Training (PACT) programe.
In conclusion, I hope that this paper reveals both the complexity of policing youth and the progress that has been made by the NSW Police Service to further improve police-youth relations. The enormousness of the task that continues to confront the Service is clearly understood, and it is hoped through continued initiatives such as those mentioned, that positive, incremental change will continue to occur.
This is an edited version of a paper presented to an Australian Institute of Criminology Conference in Brisbane on June 18th, 1999.
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About the Authors
Lisa Hayes is employed as the Co-ordinator of Youth and Child Protection Programs for the NSW Police Service. She manages a team of senior policy officers that have been responsible for a range of projects including the establishment of Joint Investigation Teams, the introduction of audio and video recording of children's evidence, the Co-ordination of the recommendations of the Wood Royal Commission Paedophile Inquiry, the implementations and monitoring of the Young Offenders Act, the Children (Protection and Parental Responsibility) Act and the implementation of the Children and Young Person (Care and Protection) Act for the Service.
Garner Clancey is appointed at the NSW Police Service as the Senior Programs Officer with responsibility for youth issues. He has worked in the youth sector over a period of eight years including positions in the Department of Juvenile Justice. Garner has completed post graduate studies in criminology producing his dissertation on police cautioning of juveniles.
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