This module introduces police trainers and participants to the principles and practices of child-sensitive policing. It focuses on how police officers should act, communicate and organise their work whenever a child is involved, and apply professional standards that prevent harm and protect children’s rights.
This module is delivered through seven linked practice-oriented sessions, moving from principles to daily police practice:
Introducing the core principles that guide police behaviour and decision-making in all child-related situations.
Explaining how police should communicate with children respectfully and appropriately, depending on whether the child is a victim, witness, in need of protection, or alleged to have committed an offence.
Identifying practical steps to organise police stations, focal persons and spaces in ways that reduce fear and protect children.
Guidance on planning and conducting interviews that are lawful, respectful and minimise harm to children.
Clarifying standards for receiving, recording and responding to complaints where a child may be at risk.
Explaining police duties to protect children’s identity, privacy and personal information.
Clarifying when and how police should coordinate with child protection authorities and services while continuing to fulfil their core policing role.
Each session builds on the previous one and should be delivered in sequence.
Total module time: 1 hours
Trainers may adjust timing depending on participant level and training format.
✔ Review Module 4 in the Training Manual
✔ Familiarise yourself with principles of child-sensitive policing
✔ Reflect on common police-child interactions in daily practice
✔ Identify station-level practices that may increase or reduce harm to children
✔ Prepare examples or visuals to support practical understanding
✔ Projector / screen
✔ Laptop with presentation files pre-loaded
✔ Flip chart / whiteboard
✔ Markers
This session should be delivered through brief recall, participant input, and trainer consolidation. The aim is to connect earlier concepts to daily police practice, and clearly restate the core principles of child-sensitive policing.
Begin by saying: “Earlier in this training, we discussed child protection and police responsibilities. Before we go further, let us recall what child-sensitive policing means to you.”
Ask participants: “When police deal with a child, what should be different from dealing with an adult?”
Instructions:
Likely responses may include:
Briefly acknowledge:
“These responses show that you already understand the idea of child-sensitive policing.”
Then say: “Let us now organise these ideas into clear principles that guide police action.”
Display the heading:
“Principles of Child-Sensitive Policing”
Present each principle clearly and briefly, linking back to participant responses.
Treat every child fairly, regardless of background.
Choose the safest lawful option for the child.
Protect the child from violence, intimidation and unnecessary detention.
Speak calmly and respectfully at all times.
Protect the child’s identity and personal information.
Use custody only when unavoidable and for the shortest lawful time.
State clearly: “These principles apply in every situation – whether the child is a victim, witness, missing, in need of protection, or alleged to have committed an offence.”
Give one short example only:
A child found begging must be protected and referred, not punished.