To criticise the participants in this film, to "want to jump into the TV and start punching people" is as misguided and pointless as railing at the "racism" in the films of the Marx Brothers or Buster Keaton. These were different times (for instance the word "retarded" is no longer acceptable) and the people here were working to standards deemed normal at the time. The Sergeant depicted here, George Ray, in particular comes across as humane, yet you cringe when he towers over a seven year old boy who whimpers as he interrogates him about a stolen cowboy suit. The officers spend a lot of time visiting schools and homes in order to keep these kids OUT of court. They shout at them, humiliate them and make them cry - all seeming like abuse by today's standards - but the fact remains that the matters ended there and not in a juvenile court. Nowadays, with the bean-counting culture endemic in today's legal system, these would all be seen as easy detections and criminal records would ensue.
The lack of training in these officers is apparent when you hear "Police Woman Mrs Brooks" badgering children over and over again with unanswerable questions like "Why are you not at school? Why are you not at school?" and "Why are you stealing?" A nervous smile or shrug is met with a shout of "IT'S NOT FUNNY!" When one girl, unable by her own admission to think of anything to say to these closed questions apart from "I felt like it" flees in tears to her bedroom, the female officer follows and attempts to calm her but continues to badger her, demanding "Are you listening?" over and over again.
However, the lack of training was not the officers' fault. They were working within the parameters of the then current system. They were probably regarded as the "wet" wing of the force by their colleagues who were accustomed simply to arresting offenders.
It's heartbreaking to see George, in his filthy underwear, wailing as he is pulled out of bed and then, incongruously, putting his tie on before leaving the house in a sulk! No baseball caps or hoodies in evidence here...
Similarly, the beautiful young Asian girl, Rashida (who unfortunately continued to offend before entering into an arranged marriage) is obviously devious yet charming, and stands before Sergeant Ray as he counts out felt tip markers and grills her about a stolen apple! Watched in conjunction with the sequel from 15 years later, Juvenile Liason 2, this becomes even more heart-rending. One of the two boys caught truanting, and not much else, in Woolworths is now a career criminal and describes himself as "a loser" with no hope. Another boy featured is a petty criminal, drinking from a can and grinning as he recounts his life of crime.
Broomfield has produced a work of genius here. Sergeant Ray complains about the editing - that the good works they did were not included - but sadly unfair editing usually makes for better viewing. This is a brilliant snapshot of how we used to treat our children, and is worth watching any time you feel like going back to the old ways.
The lack of training in these officers is apparent when you hear "Police Woman Mrs Brooks" badgering children over and over again with unanswerable questions like "Why are you not at school? Why are you not at school?" and "Why are you stealing?" A nervous smile or shrug is met with a shout of "IT'S NOT FUNNY!" When one girl, unable by her own admission to think of anything to say to these closed questions apart from "I felt like it" flees in tears to her bedroom, the female officer follows and attempts to calm her but continues to badger her, demanding "Are you listening?" over and over again.
However, the lack of training was not the officers' fault. They were working within the parameters of the then current system. They were probably regarded as the "wet" wing of the force by their colleagues who were accustomed simply to arresting offenders.
It's heartbreaking to see George, in his filthy underwear, wailing as he is pulled out of bed and then, incongruously, putting his tie on before leaving the house in a sulk! No baseball caps or hoodies in evidence here...
Similarly, the beautiful young Asian girl, Rashida (who unfortunately continued to offend before entering into an arranged marriage) is obviously devious yet charming, and stands before Sergeant Ray as he counts out felt tip markers and grills her about a stolen apple! Watched in conjunction with the sequel from 15 years later, Juvenile Liason 2, this becomes even more heart-rending. One of the two boys caught truanting, and not much else, in Woolworths is now a career criminal and describes himself as "a loser" with no hope. Another boy featured is a petty criminal, drinking from a can and grinning as he recounts his life of crime.
Broomfield has produced a work of genius here. Sergeant Ray complains about the editing - that the good works they did were not included - but sadly unfair editing usually makes for better viewing. This is a brilliant snapshot of how we used to treat our children, and is worth watching any time you feel like going back to the old ways.
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