Policy Text
A. PURPOSE:
1. This chapter describes the circumstances under which juveniles will become the
subjects of a contact with police, and provides guidelines for officers to follow
with regard to juveniles. Florida State Statutes, and the "Florida Juvenile
Handbook" issued to the Police Department by the Florida Department of
Juvenile Justice shall be referred to for additional guidance in juvenile matters.
2. During juvenile related encounters, officers shall keep in mind that the intention
of juvenile law is to divert as many delinquents as practical from the formal
aspects of the Criminal Justice System into counseling, warning, mentoring or
other alternative situations.