Police-Led Programs

PMR — pp. 1-26 2026-07-09 Original Navigating challenges at the frontline: evidence from Youth Outreach Unit (YOU) in marginalized communities Vernise Estorcien, Sanghee Park Abstract Police-led youth programs provide mentorship and support for youth in marginalized communities, yet limited research examines their implementation challenges and adaptive strategies. This qualitative study investigates the Youth Outreach Unit (YOU) in Miami-Dade County, Florida, using virtual semi-structured interviews with program leaders and officers. Findings identify three key implementation challenges: resource constraints, understaffing and limited expertise, and unclear goals and performance metrics. We further identify three pathways for improvement: formal partnerships and community collaboration, strategic use of goal ambiguity, and clearer metrics, protocols, and accountability mechanisms. The study offers policy implications for designing and supporting community-based youth programs.