Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-30
Quick Start Due
On Program for
JuveniIeSquad
Winters to Visit
Other Cities; New
Legislation Possible
By J. Theodore Grown
and chorIes 6. Brooks


sion, will begin an mediate re-
vamping Of the police depart
ment's juvenile delinquency pro-
grams.
Inspector Winters, who was
sworn in this morning, will
take the following steps:
/. He will tour many of the
major cities, including New York.
to obtain the best features of
their juvenile delinquency pre-
vention programs and observe the
processing of juveniles from the
time of their apprehension
through the juvenile courts.
2. The acting inspector will re-
turn to confer with Chief Robert
v. Murray and set up his juvenile
division. Chief Murray said there
is a definite possibility that rec
concentrations for a number of
new police regulations regarding
juveniles will then be made to
the Commissioners. He added
there may also be requests for
new legislation.
3. Next March. Inspector
Winters will take a 12-week
course at the University of
Southern CALIFORNIA; School of
Public Administration. Delin-
quency Control Institute. He
will probably take two other
members of the newly formed
unit.
Emphasizes Prevention.
Chief Murray's plan for
complete reorganization of the
Juvenile Division. announced
yesterday. sharply reverses the
departments current juvenile
policy and emphasizes a preven-
tive battle.
Rather than dealing with jul
veniles only after offenses are
committed, Chief Murray de-
clared that IT believe prevention
of these acts would accomplish
more than incarcerating juve-
niles after the offenses have
been committed"
In a letter to the Commission
ers, the chief emphasized that
he has "given careful consider
alton to the juvenile problem
with q view toward more ef1ec-
lively meeting this situation (ju-
venile delinquency and produc-
ing the best results"
Hitherto. the Juvenile Squad
here has recognized no need for
special training Of detectives In
Juvenile work. Squad Capt.
John F. Ryan often has declared
that he and his men are police
men and not social workers.
In the past, the department
has dealt with juveniles through
its Juvenile Squad, the Wom-
ems Bureau, which handles all
girl delinquents, and the Miss
ing Persons Bureau, which ham
dies juvenile runaways.
Sponsors Boys Club.
It also has sponsored the Po-
lice Boys Club, which empha-
sizes, however. activities for the
underprivileged rather than for
delinquents.
Chief Murray's announcement
yesterday came just 10 days after
The Star began a survey OF the
New York Police Departments
Juvenile Aid Bureau. which CO.
ordinates and integrates all
agencies and departments ham
ding juveniles.
The chiefs plan is basically
similar to New York's. Part Of
the local Women's Bureau will
be assigned to the new Juvenile
division. Juvenile cases ham
died by the Missing Persons Bu-
reau will be reported to the jul
venile division.
Under the chiefs proposed
setup, special attention will be
given by both policemen and
policewomen to dance halls,
taverns and other hangouts for
juveniles.
Chief Murray did not elaborate
on that. but in New York the
Juvenile Aid Bureau is very
strict on owners of juvenile
hangouts to see that stringent
police regulations are obeyed.
This is carried on even to the
extent of permitting juveniles to
attend movies only from 8 until
6 pm. on schooldays. Theater
owners must hire trained ma
irons to watch special sections
in the theater, where juveniles
are. allowed to sit.
The new division is also ex-
pected to attempt a closer iaison
with the Juvenile Court, which
has often been criticized for its
secrecy over the disposition Of
cases.
Judge Edith Cockrill said she
was pleased with the prospect OF
training at least certain juvenile
squad officers. The jurist, who
often has traded sharp words
with Capt. Ryan over policies
declared the policy was sound
She added that she had con-
ferred with Chief Murray q mum.
Der of times on the reorganiza-
ton.
Inspector Winters, raised from
captain to acting inspector 81
that he would have the rank t.
supervise, told The Star:
81 have not worked ION juve'
nile cases since was q foot
man. I realize this is a biz
task. but I am willing to learn.
hope to be able to visit the othel
departments, where expect Il
spend two or three days follow
ing the cases through. I woult
like to learn all phases of thi'
work. from the time Of the ar
rest until the case Is disposed o.
in the courts. ! win accept an,