Contacto policial y conductas antinormativas en adolescentes de Argentina

(analytical)The research analyzed the relationship between antinormative behavior and police contact in adolescents and young people from Córdoba and Tucumán, Argentina. Three groups evaluated at different times were compared: G1 (n= 277, 13 to 19 years), G2 (n= 1077, 13 to 19 years) and G3 (n= 103,18 to 25 years). In each group, the prevalences of police contact were 13 %, 6 % and 37 %, and the prevalences of antisocial behaviors were 74 %, 43 %, and 80 %, respectively. The type of antinormative behavior was significantly associated with police contact in both sexes, and males showed higher prevalences of police contact, regardless of the type of antinormative behavior. The implications of the results for police training and public policies aimed at crime prevention in adolescents are discussed.