Youth Division

The mission of the Darien Police Department's Youth Division is to prevent juvenile delinquency through positive interactions with community youth. This is accomplished by instituting various programs which focus on education, safety and enforcement which may include the referral of at-risk youth to an appropriate agency or organization.

The Darien Police Department recognizes the value to society and importance of early intervention of juvenile offenders. The Youth Division has designated detectives to properly and thoroughly carry out a three-pronged approach to this end. Education, prevention, and diversion are the first steps before litigious court action is taken with youthful offenders, and it is through the support of the community and the collaboration with the various social service agencies that this approach has been successful and widely accepted. The Youth Division also handles crimes against or involving juveniles. 

The Youth Division oversees a Juvenile Review Board which was created as a pre-court diversion alternative for Juveniles in the Town of Darien. By offering interventions to juveniles and their families, the Darien Police Department hopes to reduce the occurrence of risky and/or criminal behavior prior to court involvement. This goal is accomplished by pairing restorative justice practices with supports in an attempt to both curb future behavior and assist juveniles with life challenges, all while ensuring no criminal record is generated.