Thematic paper series no. 5: Police and children

Police in their daily work mainly deal with adult people, which means that their policies, instructions, and manner in which they approach people, through words and actions, are designed in relation to adults. However, they also interact in many circumstances with children and are often not prepared, able or willing to take into account the specific situation and circumstances of children who are particularly at risk of suffering negative consequences to their mental and physical well-being as a result of their contact with the police. 

Discrimination, unnecessary and excessive use of force, threats and harassment – these are just a few of the violations we frequently observe in relation to children 

The present publication, that covers a wide range of areas of police work – use of force, arrest and detention, stop and search, policing assemblies, interviewing – seeks to explain the specific considerations that should apply in relation to children to ensure utmost respect for their human rights and well-being. It aims to inform human rights activists and the wider human rights community as well as to draw the attention of law enforcement agencies on how to fulfil their obligation to give utmost priority to a child’s wellbeing when they interact with children. 

Download

English – Police and Children Thematic paper

French – La police et les mineur-e-s Document de réflexion

Spanish – La policía y los niños y niñas Documento de reflexión