NCJ Number
59954
Journal
Social Casework Volume: 60 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 416-422
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
SOCIAL WORK AGENCIES HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY INVOLVED WHEN POLICE RESPOND TO FAMILY CRISIS CALLS. THIS REPORT DESCRIBES A PROGRAM IN RHODE ISLAND INVOLVING A POLICE CRISIS TEAM AND ANALYZES ITS RESULTS.
Abstract
IN JANUARY, 1974, THE FAMILY SERVICE SOCIETY OF PAWTUCKET AND VICINITY, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, INITIATED A POLICE CRISIS TEAM PROGRAM IN WHICH TEAMS, COMPOSED OF A PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKER AND A COMMUNITY RELATIONS POLICE OFFICER, RESPOND TO FAMILY DISTURBANCE CALLS. FIVE YEARS LATER, THE PROJECT HAS RESULTED IN A CLEARER PERSPECTIVE OF THE INTERVENTION PROCESS AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE RESPECTIVE ROLES OF THE PEACE OFFICER AND THE COUNSELOR IN CRISIS PREVENTION. THE FIRST RESPONSE TO A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE CALL IS BY UNIFORMED PATROL OFFICERS. FOLLOWING THEIR ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION, A CRISIS TEAM IS AVAILABLE VIA RADIO TO RESPOND AS BACKUP AND TO RELIEVE THE PATROL OFFICERS AT THE SCENE. TEAMS ALSO HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF FOLLOWING UP WITH A FAMILY FOR ONE TO FIVE SESSIONS TO ASSESS AND EXPLORE THE SITUATION AND REFER THE FAMILY IF NECESSARY TO OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES. TEAM MEMBERS USE EACH OTHER SUPPORTIVELY IN MANAGING CRISIS SITUATIONS AND THEIR GOALS ARE ALWAYS TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF EFFECT, VIA ESTABLISHMENT OF CONTROL AND SECURITY, AND TO BEGIN TO ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS IN CONSIDERATION OF OPTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES TO THE CRISIS SITUATION. THE REPORT NOTES THAT OUTSIDE CONSULTATION AND TRAINING WITH BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CLINICAL PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN INTEGRAL TO THE TEAM CONCEPT. IN FOUR AND ONE-HALF YEARS OF OPERATION, CRISIS TEAMS HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE AND HAVE RESPONDED TO OVER 1,000 DISTURBANCE CALLS PER YEAR, INCLUDING THOSE CONCERNING PARENT-CHILD DISPUTES, RUNAWAY AND ABUSED CHILDREN, MARITAL DISPUTES, INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS, NEIGHBORHOOD DISPUTES, AND SUICIDE AND DEPRESSION. (MJW)