Youth

There are many exciting and challenging aspects of being a young person and growing up. We are committed to supporting the safety and well being of children and young people across the state as they learn and grow.

Programs and initiatives

We are involved in a range of initiatives that aim to promote the healthy development of young people.

Schools Engagement Model

We have released new guidance to support positive engagement between police and schools. Known as the Schools Engagement Model (SEM), this guidance aims to ensure that any engagement that police have with schools:

is planned
is purposeful
meets the needs of schools, police and the local community

The SEM acknowledges the potential benefits to our community from these types of engagement with schools. These benefits include:

building trust and confidence in police
supporting schools to promote safety messaging
identifying opportunities to partner with educators and other services to address determinants of harm and to prevent harm before it occurs.

In some cases, this may not necessarily involve any more or any less engagement between schools and police. The goal is to better equip police to engage effectively with schools and young people throughout Victoria.

Youth Resource Officers (YROs)

Youth Resource Officers (YROs) are sworn police officers who focus on engaging with young people and supporting their safety and wellbeing. YROs often work with families, schools, youth services and fellow police officers to promote positive engagement between police and young people and to educate the young people and their communities on safety issues.

Youth Specialist Officers (YSOs)

Youth Specialist Officers (YSOs) are sworn police officers who focus specifically on offending by young people. The objective of the YSO role is to reduce the harm these offences cause to the community and to the young person themselves.

We recognise that young people involved in offending may have additional vulnerabilities.They may also be victims or be at an increased risk of harm. The specialist knowledge of our YSOs assists our officers to respond more effectively to these issues.

YSOs have the same powers and obligations as other sworn police officers. Where applicable by law, this includes:

powers of arrest
mandatory reporting obligations

YSOs also have a focus on preventing further harm and providing support to young people to help them stop offending.

To do this, YSOs work collaboratively with:

police
government agencies
community service providers
schools
families
young people

Where necessary, YSOs may attend multidisciplinary meetings with other professionals which support young people who are involved in offending or high-risk behaviours.

YSOs and YROs often work together to reduce the risk of further offending or harm. In contrast to YROs who normally focus on proactive engagement and early intervention, YSOs predominantly focus on high-harm offending placing the community at significant risk.

Justice Literacy Resources

We know the justice system can be confusing. Justice Literacy resources are now available to help explain important police processes. We use these resources with young people and their families to help build trust. These resources will inform community of their rights and obligations during:

The arrest process
The bail process
The remand process

We want young people and their families to know what they can expect from police. If you would like more justice literacy information, please contact your local police station.

Video resources:

Transcript
When you are arrested by police, you are in police custody. During this time, you have rights and obligations under the law. Your rights are things you can do, and obligations are things you must do.
Police can arrest you when they believe you have broken the law
When arrested, you have the right to know what you are being arrested for. You can also ask for the police officer’s name, place of work, registered number, and how to make a complaint.
You and others can record the arrest, but this cannot get in the way of the arrest and your phone may be taken off you if police need it for evidence.
When you are arrested, you must go with the police officer to the police station. Police may use handcuffs to ensure everyone’s safety. If you resist arrest, police can use reasonable force, and you may be charged with extra offences.
When you are arrested you must provide police with your name and address. If you do not, you can be charged with more offences. Once you have given this information, you do not have to talk to the police.
When you are at the police station, you will in most cases be able to call a lawyer, and a friend or relative.
At the police station, police will most likely search you, take your fingerprints, and interview you. They may also ask to photograph you - subject to your consent - and take a sample of your DNA.
For the interview, you can ask for an interpreter. Police will provide one for free.
If you are under 18, you will have an adult present during the interview. This can be a parent, guardian, or an independent person
After the interview, police will ask if you need help from other support services. If you need help, police can give you a referral. Please ask Police if you don’t understand something or need further information.
Transcript
Bail means that after police charge you with an offence, you are released from police custody while you wait to go to court.
In some cases, you may not get bail by the police.
If police do not want to give you bail or you are a young person, have a disability or are Aboriginal, police will bring you before a bail justice or magistrate who will decide whether or not you can get bail”
If you are given bail, you will sign an ‘undertaking of bail’ form. By signing this form, you are agreeing to go to court on a nominated date.
You might also have to agree to certain conditions, for example giving police your passport, living at a certain address, agreeing to a curfew, or reporting to a police station.
Police will give you a copy of your bail form. This means you will have your court date and conditions of release in writing.
If released on bail, you should contact a lawyer before your court date. In some cases you can get free legal help. If so, a lawyer will be at court to represent you on the day. Please ask Police if you don’t understand something or need further information
Transcript
Remand is when police do not release you after you have been arrested. You will remain at a police station or remand centre until you go to court.
Here are some facts about remand.
1. You have not yet been sentenced by a court, therefore you are innocent until proven guilty.
2. You will likely be held separate from other convicted young people.
3. You will have access to visitors, phone calls and legal services.
4. You will have access to support programs and activities.
5. Your time spent in remand may count towards any jail time you may be given by the court.
6. If you are found not guilty by the court, you will not have a criminal record. Please ask Police if you don’t understand something or need further information

Information sharing can play an important role in addressing the risks and needs relevant to a young person. All police officers, and other agencies supporting young people, are subject to strict privacy and information sharing guidelines.

These guidelines relate to the circumstances in which information can be shared and how it must be stored and managed.

We also have protocols and agreements in place with government agencies which support lawful and responsible sharing of information between agencies.

These organisations include:

the Department of Health and Human Services
the Department of Justice and Community Safety
the Department of Education and Training

Our community

Updated 13 May 2024