The Wichita Police Department (WPD), in collaboration with Sedgwick County Juvenile Services, has created a WPD Juvenile Intervention Unit (JIU).
Youth who offend at a young age are more likely to become chronic and violent offenders as they age, and the best opportunity to intervene is as early as possible. Therefore, two JIU officers work daily in the community building relationships with area youth and youth providers.
Because the first contact is often the police, we are in a position to be the most helpful. JIU staff coordinate with child welfare groups, schools, treatment providers, and youth organizations to more effectively help Wichita’s youth. The focus of this specialized team is to proactively address youth involved in gangs and illegal behavior.
The team uses established practices such as focused deterrence, diversion, and restorative justice to keep youth out of the criminal justice system and onto positive paths by increasing their access to service providers in our community.
Juvenile Intervention Unit Referral Form
