Lithuanian parliament moves to raise age limit for junior police supporters to 20

The Lithuanian parliament is set to allow young people under 20 to serve as junior police supporters, raising the current age limit from 18, LRT reports.

Lawmakers on Thursday backed amendments to the Police Supporters Law aimed at strengthening cooperation between police and communities. The changes, which still require final approval, would permit individuals aged 12 to 20—enrolled in secondary education—to assist territorial police and schools in crime prevention and safety initiatives.

Under the proposal, junior supporters (ages 12–20) would help combat juvenile delinquency and foster secure environments in schools and surrounding areas. Regular police supporters, meanwhile, must be at least 18, fluent in Lithuanian, and hold citizenship of Lithuania or another EU member state, with a minimum secondary education.

The amendments, drafted by MPs Andrius Bagdonas and Linas Urmanavičius, address a legal gap where 18-year-olds without a high school diploma could neither continue as junior supporters nor become full supporters. Current rules create an “absurd situation,” they argued, as the law permits junior roles only up to age 18 but requires supporters to be 18 with a diploma.

If passed, the new regulations would take effect in July.