'Measuring up'

The most salient themes in the academic literature identifying those factors that most influenced police decision-making with respect to extrajudicial measures were the seriousness of the offence, past history of the offender, offender demeanour, and certain police officer characteristics. [...] The rationale behind the YCJA was to prevent the majority of minor offences from entering the court system and immediately addressing the underlying needs of youth as a means to prevent future criminal behaviour (Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, 2006). [...] The EMD was created in partnership with ‘E’ Division RCMP, the BC Centre for Safe Schools and Communities, and the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research at the University of the Fraser Valley, and the involvement of four police agencies. [...] Project Methodology This study consisted of a formative review to examine the field test implementation phase of the Extrajudicial Measures Database to determine the effectiveness of the training tools (DVD, handout, posters, letters), the training processes used, and the overall use of the database in four BC police agency communities. [...] Study participants were initially contacted through email by a member of the research team to inform them of the nature and purpose of the study, to outline the risks and rights of participants, and to invite their participation.