LAW ENFORCEMENT PERCEPTIONS OF YOUTH DIVERSION: A CASE STUDY OF THE DURHAM REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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Authors
de Sequeira, Luke
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Youth Diversion , Policing , Ontario , YCJA , Police Perceptions
Alternative Title
Abstract
Enacted in 2003, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) began the transition into a new era of youth justice in Canada (Bala 2015). As a result, the CJS saw a drastic increase in the use of extrajudicial measures and decrease in the use of courts and custodial sentences for minor offences (Bala 2003). The YCJA’s emphasis on the use of alternative measures has produced many favourable outcomes for youth offenders, the legal system, and society (Bala 2015). Despite favourable outcomes, when police officers—the gatekeepers of the CJS—hold unfavourable attitudes towards diversion, diversionary measures are applied in an inconsistent manner (Schulenberg 2015; Marinos and Innocente 2008; Prenzler and Hayes 2000; Maclure Campbell and Dufresne 2003; Lurigio and Skogan 1994; Skogan 2008; Lumb and Brezeale 2003). Considering that the overall success of pre-charge diversion programs is limited to a police officer’s willingness to apply diversionary measures, this study explores the perception and attitudes of Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) officers around the DRPS Youth Diversion Program (YDP). An original 41-item anonymous online survey was administered to 36 DRPS officers. Findings from the survey suggest that officers generally hold favourable views of the YDP and are willing to engage with the YDP. Officers are knowledgeable of the YDP and believe that their diversion-related training is sufficient. That said, findings also indicate that officers require additional training in order for the YDP to be implemented as it was intended by the YCJA.
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Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States