Introduction

Designated by: Crime against Women and Children Unit, Nanakpura, Delhi to Asha Deep Foundation (ADF) in collaboration with Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), CAW Cell Nand Nagri, Delhi, 95

The Sensitization trainings for the police personnel were conducted by Rev. H. K. Chetty, Director, and ADF at 17 police stations in the presence of SHO and sub inspector at north east Delhi. During the training he projected various legal aspect related to child rights and child protection. He conveyed the articles of Juvenile Justice Care and protection of Children Act 2000/2006, the role of police, Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board, and the general public. Juvenile Justice Act 2000 is the only beneficial legislation for the children in India, but there are various aspects of it in terms of its implementation; such as the machineries, the professionals involved in it, which play an important role in its implementation. The main objective is to provide a protective umbrella for all children in difficult circumstances. The Act covers all types of children below the age of 18 years, and further support to children till the age of 21 years.Through this Act we consolidate and amend the law relating to juveniles in conflict with law andchildren in need of care and protection, by providing for proper care, protection and treatment by catering to their development needs, and by adopting a child-friendly approach in the adjudication and disposition of matters in the best interest of children and for their ultimate rehabilitation and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Therefore the training of the police personnel becomes very important.

Objective

• To train the Police Officials on how to deal with the Children in conflict with law (CCL) and Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP)
• To sensitize the participants on Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Acts 2000/2006.

Details of the sensitization trainings organized for police personnel for handling juveniles in conflict with law and Children in need of care and protection at Police station level are as mentioned below -:

Round wise details of the training organized at PS level

Contents of the Trainings

Who is Child? Define Child? "Juvenile" or "Child" means a person (he/she) who has not completed 18 (Eighteenth) year of age Or 0-18 year.

The Basis

• Provisions of the Indian Constitution
• The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of the Juvenile Justice, 1985 (The Beijing Rules)
• Four broad RIGHTS of the UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child-declaration on 20th November 1989
• Right to Survival
• Right to Protection
• Right to Development
• Right to Participation

Two broad categories of children dealt with:

• Children in conflict with law (CCL)
• Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP)

What should a police person on duty do, if s/he receives the call or child in police station?

Child in conflict with law

• Give the attention and affection to child
• Take care of basic urgent need of the child
• Try to understand the category of CCL (Petty or heinous) in which child will fall
• Take the steps accordingly

While dealing with Children under this act, please remember following things:

• Remember to wear plain clothes except at the time of apprehend
• Never handcuff a Child or Juvenile
• Names of Juveniles or Children must not be glorified in Media

Child In need of Care and protection (CNCP)

• Take care of basic urgent need of the child
• Give the attention and affection to child
• Try to understand the category of CNCP in which child will fall
• Take the steps accordingly

Observation

• It was observed that the SHO and IO level officers are taking keen interest in attending and organizing the training programme whereas constables and other PS level staff response was not very positive. They are taking it as a burden rather than responsibility.
• It was observed that some police officers even lack the basic information on CWC and JJB.
• In spite of proper notification earlier it was also experienced that Officials were not even prepared for the workshop i.e. no proper arrangement of venue , sitting arrangement ,participants etc.

Outcome

• As per the feedback received from the police officials the training proved to be very useful and informative for them. The participants enthusiastically participated and share the children cases that they have dealt in police station.
• They are willing to attend such type of workshop and its follow up In future.

So they came to know about the role of CWC.

• They become aware of their roles and responsibilities for the inclusive development of children.
• The participants discussed some complicated cases where they found difficulty for intervention.