Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 1/24/2011 02/01/201 9
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTM ENT GENERAL ORDERS
_________________________________________
323 - Juvenile Operations /School Resource Officer 1
POLICY 323 JUVENILE OPERATIONS /SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
323.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy is to establish guidelines and operational procedures for the department regarding
aspects of preventing and combating juvenile delinquency.
323.1.1 ACCREDITAT ION STANDARDS
This section pertains to the following CALEA Standards : 1.1.3 , 1.2.6, 1.2.7, 3.1.1 , 44.1.1 , 44.1.2 ,
44.1.3 , 44.2.1 , 44.2.4
This policy pertains to the following Standard Operating Procedures: N/A
323.2 RESPONSIBILITY OF DEPARTMENT MEMBER S
The Tustin Police Department recognizes the importance of preventing and combating juvenile
delinquency. The department also further recognizes that traditional methods for dealing with
juvenile offenders are not sufficient. To meet its commitment to p rovide exceptional services to
the community, the department participates in preventive programs and actions designed to
prevent young people from developing criminal tendencies.
Officers have a wide range of alternatives they may employ when dealing with juvenile offenders .
Alternatives include counseling, diversion programs or intake . Officers should use the leas t
coercive alternative that is appropriate when deciding what action to take with juvenile offenders.
Furthermore, it is the policy of the Tust in Police Department to implement problem -solving
strategies through positive 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 tha t the appropriate action is taken in all cases where 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 familiar ize
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 criminal behavior by juveniles .
323.3 JUVENILE SP ECIALIST – SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS
The Tustin Police Department recognizes the importance of having employees who are specially
trained regarding the Juvenile Justice System. The School Resource Officers (SRO’s) serve as
the department’s juvenile special ists and are assigned to the Community Policing Bureau . The
SRO’s assist in the development and implementation of delinquency prevention programs and act
as the liaison between the department, schools , and other components of 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
3 1/24/2011 02/01/201 9
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTM ENT GENERAL ORDERS
_________________________________________
323 - Juvenile Operations /School Resource Officer 2
323.3.1 OUTSIDE COMMENT AND INPUT ON JUVENILE POLICIES
The School Resource Officer acts as a liaison between the police de partment and other juvenile
agencies within Orange County . The School Resource Officer will encourage other 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 to submit comments through the
chain of command.
323.4 JUVENILE POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW
The Community Policing Bureau Commander will meet annually with school district administration
to review and obtain feedback on relevant juvenile and school resource programs currently in
force. The Community Policing Bureau Commander will include a summar y of that meeting in
his/her Annual Juvenile Report .
The Annual Juvenile Report shall be submitted to the Chief of Police evaluating the department’s
efforts and programs related to juvenile enforcement and prevention programs, and include any
recommendations for change.