Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 09/10/2015 01/04/2022 01/04/2026
BUENA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
____________________________________________
GO 323 - Juvenile Operations /School Resource Officer 1
POLICY 323 JUVENILE OPERATIONS /SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
323.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Buena Park Police Department recognizes the importance of combat ing juvenile delinquency
and that traditional methods for dealing with juvenile offenders are not sufficient. The Department
is committed to develop ing and maintain ing programs designed to prevent and control juvenile
delinquency.
323.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This section pertains to the following CALEA Standards : 1.1.3, 1.2.6, 1.2.7, 44.1.1, 44.1.2, 44.1.3,
44.2.1, 44.2.4
323.2 POLICY
This policy establish es guidelines and operational procedures for the Department regarding
participation in programs and actions desig ned to prevent and combat juvenile delinquency.
323.3 RESPONSIBILITY OF DEPARTMENT MEMBERS
Officers have a wide range of alternatives they may employ when dealing with juvenile o ffenders ,
from warnings to custody . Officers should use the leas t coercive alternative that is appropriate when
deciding what action to take with juvenile offenders. Furthermore, it is the Department ’s policy to
implement problem -solving strategies through p ositive programs that deal with delinquency and
youth crime.
All employees share in the responsibility for participating in and supporting the juvenile operations
function to ensure that the appropriate action is taken in all cases in which juveniles come to the
attention of the Department. All sworn personnel will maintain a working knowledge of the California
Welfare and Institutions Code concerning the handling of juveniles and familiarize themselves with
the various support programs the Juvenile Court uses. Each officer assists, as applicable, in the
design and implementation of programs intended to prevent and control delinquent and cri minal
behavior by juveniles .
323.4 JUVENILE SPECIALIST – SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS
The Department recognizes the importance of having employees who are specially trained
regarding the juvenile justice system. School Resource Officers (SRO s) serve as the Department’s
juvenile spec ialists . The SROs are assigned to Patrol, and may assist in the development and
implementation of delinquency -prevention programs . They act as the liaison between the
Department, schools , and the juvenile justice system. This relationship ensures the Department’s
juvenile policies and procedures are consistent with other agencies within Orange County.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 09/10/2015 01/04/2022 01/04/2026
BUENA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
____________________________________________
GO 323 - Juvenile Operations /School Resource Officer 2
323.4.1 OUTSIDE COMMENT AND INPUT ON JUVENILE POLICIES
The SRO acts as a liaison between the Department and other juvenile agencies within Orange
County. The SRO will encourage other juvenile agencies to review and comment on policies
pertaining to juveniles. This activity may be formal or informal as the opportunity becomes available.
The SRO is responsible for submit ting comments through the chain of command.
323.5 JUVENIL E POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW
The sergeant supervising the SRO Program will meet annually with school district administration s
to review and obtain feedback on relevant juvenile and school resource pr ograms currently in force.
This sergeant will also mee t with personnel from within the Department who supervise, or are
involved in, any other juvenile -related preventative programs. This sergeant will include a summar y
of those meeting s and a written evaluation in his/her Annual Juvenile Report , which s/he s ubmits
to the Chief of Police .
The Annual Juvenile Report evaluat es the Department’s efforts and programs related to juvenile
enforcement and prevention programs, and include s any recommendations for change.