Experiences of police officers on dealing with cases involving minors
Embralyn GALVE. Magbanua | Jennerose Acanto | Jonamae Delavida | Aljan Dapitan
Discipline: Childhood and Youth Studies
Abstract:
This study explores the experiences and realizations of police officers in dealing with cases involving minors in Banga, South Cotabato. Using a qualitative descriptive research design, data were collected from five officers through key informant interviews. Results reveal challenges in establishing trust, maintaining confidentiality, and addressing legal and emotional needs of minors. Officers emphasized the importance of community engagement, specialized training, and inter-agency coordination. These findings contribute to a better understanding of law enforcement’s role in juvenile justice and support policy recommendations to improve police practices involving youth.
References:
- Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. The Free Press.
- Branson, C. E., Baetz, C. L., Horwitz, S. M., & Hoagwood, K. E. (2014). Trauma-informed juvenile justice systems: A systematic review of definitions and core components. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 6(6), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037768
- Cruz, R. J., & Reyes, F. C. (2020). Barangay child protection councils: Localizing juvenile justice in Philippine communities. Philippine Journal of Criminology, 16(2), 45–60.
- Dizon, M. L. (2017). Cultural dimensions of juvenile justice in the Philippines. Asian Journal of Criminology, 12(1), 33–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11417-016-9231-2
- Galvez, D. A., Orpilla, M. R., & Sayo, J. T. (2021). Policing youth offenders in rural communities: The case of SOCCSKSARGEN. Criminal Justice Perspectives, 7(2), 99–112.
- Hidalgo, L. J. (2023). Mentorship models in local law enforcement: Enhancing youth case management. Journal of Public Safety Education, 14(1), 73–85.
- Jackson, J., & Bradford, B. (2010). What is trust and confidence in the police? Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 4(3), 241–248.
- Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice Hall.
- Liberman, A. M., Best, S. R., Metzler, T. J., Fagan, J. A., Weiss, D. S., & Marmar, C. R. (2002). Routine occupational stress and psychological distress in police. Police Quarterly, 5(2), 231–249. https://doi.org/10.1177/109861102129198166
- Magnavita, N., & Garbarino, S. (2013). Social stressors and occupational stress in law enforcement: A study of Italian police officers. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 86(2), 177–188.
- Meyer, E. E., Greeno, E. J., & Wasserman, G. A. (2019). Training needs and trauma-informed practices in juvenile justice. Youth Justice, 19(1), 50–69. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473225418815745
- Miller, L. S., & Hess, K. M. (2013). Juvenile Justice. Cengage Learning.
- Santos, R. B., & Villanueva, A. P. (2022). Evaluating the capacity of Women and Children Protection Desks in the Philippine National Police. Philippine Journal of Criminology, 18(1), 22–36.
- Soriano, L., Tadena, R., & Cruz, A. (2022). Juvenile delinquency and digital behavior in the post-pandemic Philippines. Southeast Asian Journal of Criminology, 5(1), 101–115.
- Tapia, G. D., Montes, R. C., & La Torre, J. L. (2018). Socioeconomic roots of juvenile crime: A regional study in Mindanao. Asian Criminology Journal, 13(4), 223–239.
- Taylor, R. B. (2019). School-police partnership: Preventing juvenile recidivism through institutional engagement. Journal of Law Enforcement and Education, 10(3), 41–55.
- Vuorensyrjä, M., & Mälkiä, M. (2011). Stress and law enforcement: A comparative study of occupational stress among Finnish police officers. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 34(4), 701–716.
- Zehr, H. (2015). The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Good Books.