Enhancing the Efficiency of Police Law Enforcement in Handling Child and Juvenile Offenders Involved in Violent Crime in Bangkok

Abstract

At present, violent crimes committed by children and juveniles have shown a continuous increase in both frequency and severity, particularly in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, which is considered a region with a high crime rate. This study aims to examine the roles and responsibilities of police officers in the law enforcement process, including the problems and obstacles encountered in practice, as well as approaches to enhancing law enforcement effectiveness for juvenile offenders involved in violent crime cases. This study employed a qualitative research methodology. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 13 key informants, including police officers, psychologists, social workers, and public prosecutors.

The findings indicate that police officers play active roles throughout all stages of the process, including crime prevention through proactive programs and activities; arrests conducted using measures appropriate to juveniles’ psychological conditions and developmental stages; detention in facilities separated from adult offenders; and multidisciplinary investigations conducted in collaboration with psychologists, social workers, and public prosecutors. However, several significant challenges were identified, including gaps in legal provisions that allow adults to exploit children and juveniles, procedural complexity and time constraints, insufficient competencies and expertise among personnel, and shortages of specialized personnel.