POLICE officers are undergoing a three-day training programme aimed at strengthening child-friendly procedures and improving the response of law-enforcement officers when children come into contact with the justice system.
The workshop, organised by the Juvenile Justice Department, is focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to ensure that children are treated with dignity, fairness and respect throughout their interaction with the justice system.
The training covers a range of issues relevant to children in conflict with or affected by the justice system, including child rights, gender, disability and vulnerability, and trauma-informed approaches.
Participants are also being trained in identifying different forms of trafficking, interviewing children, procedures relating to juvenile police custody and the use of diversion measures.
Particular emphasis is being placed on ensuring that police responses are child-sensitive and rights-based, while taking into account the individual circumstances and vulnerabilities of children.
The Juvenile Justice Department said the training is intended to strengthen the capacity of police officers to respond appropriately to children and promote practices that safeguard their rights and well-being.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to improve the administration of juvenile justice and ensure that children who come into contact with the justice system receive appropriate protection and treatment.
