Policy:
The responsibility for participating in or supporting the juvenile operations function extends to and includes all units and personnel of the department, particularly patrol officers.
This section, therefore, is responsible to provide guidance to all police officers of the Saint Paul Police Department to help them meet their many responsibilities responding to juvenile needs and develop a better understanding of juvenile issues. Police officers have, by law, certain duties and responsibilities pertaining to children under the age of eighteen years. Our primary mission in dealing with juveniles is the best interest of the child.
Situations will naturally arise during pursuit, apprehension, or the disposition of a case which have not been adequately dealt with in these procedures. The youth services section will assist you at all times whenever a question arises when determining the legally correct and socially desirable method for responding to children.
Updated February 1, 2019