New Police-Youth Interaction Minimum Standards
In May, the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board voted unanimously to adopt a guideline for minimum standards for police interactions with youth. While there is a long way to go between adoption of these guidelines and safer police interactions for Ohio’s youth, this is a crucial step. These guidelines outline five critical areas that will, when properly implemented, improve community relationships with police and protect Ohio's marginalized youth. For agencies to gain certification in the new standards, they will need to establish written policies for how officers and other staff interact with minors that include the following:
When questioning, searching, detaining, arresting, interrogating, or interviewing youth, they shall be afforded their constitutional and statutory rights in a developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and equitable manner.
Agencies should allow officers to exercise discretion and make reasonable age-appropriate modifications of their practices, including use of the least restrictive and coercive approaches possible, when interacting with special youth populations such as those in crisis due to mental illness or substance abuse, or those with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
When feasible, officers should use alternatives to arrest that both preserves public safety and holds youth accountable, with arrest as a last resort. Alternatives may include the provision of warnings, referral to an appropriate community social service or mental health agency, or the issuance of a citation.
Training for officers should include content focusing on youth development, age appropriate and trauma-informed communication strategies, de-escalation practices, and the special needs of certain youth populations.
Agencies shall conduct a documented annual administrative review of their practices and of the data they collect on youth arrests by charge, age, race, and use of force.
Juvenile Justice Coalition is excited to partner with communities and law enforcement agencies across the state to ensure these standards are incorporated into policy in meaningful and strategic ways. Ohio's youth have rights that must be respected. Together we can make sure they are safe and seen.