The Nature of Police Attitudes to the Structure of the Young Offenders Act 1997 (NSW)

This thesis considers, in an exploratory way, the attitudes of police in the New South Wales Police Force to the Young Offenders Act 1997 (NSW) and in particular to the structure of that Act. Little research has been undertaken on police attitudes to the Young Offenders Act since its introduction into New South Wales law in 1998. The authorâÂ's research firstly highlights the need to determine what police attitudes to the Young Offenders Act are and consequently determines that there are diverging attitudes between police officers towards procedural options for young people in New South Wales. The research, conducted through semi-structured interviews with thirteen New South Wales police officers, indicates that police generally understand the structure of the Young Offenders Act and use the Act regularly when dealing with young people. Further training regarding its use is suggested by police as is some modification of the Act. Data from this research also indicates that clarification of legislative requirements may be necessary for police, when children are confined or detained through the use of the Young Offenders Act.