Study: Adolescents' experiences with police have harmful repercussions for later life outcomes

The criminal justice system has changed dramatically in the past half century and with these changes has come a greater potential for adolescents to encounter police. A new study examined how adolescents' experiences with police—either directly or vicariously (e.g., via witnessing an encounter)—affected their future orientation during the transition to adulthood. The study concluded that adolescents' experiences with police can serve as an important life course event with negative consequences for later life outcomes.