When the police take a young person to the station, in some cases they must inform the parents immediately. In others, this is not mandatory. Martin Raff, spokesperson for the Reutlingen Police Headquarters, explains what this depends on.
According to Raff, the rules are very clear when a young person under the age of 18 is arrested or taken into custody. If possible criminal offenses are involved, the police must inform the legal guardians. Parents are also notified in the case of children. However, there are exceptions: for example, if drugs are involved and the police fear that evidence could be destroyed. Or if young people and especially children are at risk of violence at home.
“In all other cases, we examine the individual case,” says Raff. Often these are young people who have been caught without a ticket on a bus or train. If he or she does not have any ID with them, ticket inspectors call the police and they are taken to the station to establish their identity. The officers on site decide whether to inform the parents. A 15-year-old will not simply be sent home at 8 p.m., says Raff. A 17-year-old who will turn 18 next month, however, probably will.
And what if young people become very quiet at the police station and want to call their parents? “Then they are allowed to,” says Raff.
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