| Training Name | An Informed Approach to Law Enforcement Contact with Youth in South Carolina |
| Training Description | As gatekeepers to the justice system, law enforcement officers are the first and most frequent juvenile justice decision-makers to encounter youth on the streets, in malls, in schools, in homes, and other settings. Law enforcement agencies are the primary source of delinquency referrals each year. Studies conducted on a national level have generally found that law enforcement officers' decision-making does contribute to minority overrepresentation in the juvenile justice system. This training will begin with a review of the legal eligibility requirements and limitations placing a youth in secure detention. This will include a discussion of the decision-making process and what a youth may experience once detained. This training will provide attendees with an overview of adolescent behaviors, adverse childhood experiences, and various trauma-informed practices available to them. Presenters will share their expertise and knowledge about important topics such as the historical context of race and the criminal justice system and its impact on racial disparities; implicit bias, cultural awareness, and sensitivity; and the use of de-escalation techniques as tools during contact with you. |
| Training Location | University of South Carolina, Joseph F. Rice School of Law, 1525 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29208. |
| Training Start Date / Time | 2024-09-20 / 8:00 am |
| Training End Date / Time | 2024-09-20 / 4:45 pm |
| CE Credits | This training has been approved by the SC Criminal Justice Academy for 7 hours of continuing education credits. |
If you have questions about the training, please contact Margaret Fent Bodman by email at margaretbodman@sc.edu or by phone at 803-576-7236.