DOMESTIC CRISIS INTERVENTION - A LITERATURE REVIEW OF DOMESTIC DISPUTE INTERVENTION TRAINING PROGRAMS, PART 2

• NCJ Number: 51726
• Journal: Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (1978) Pages: 299-328
• Author(s): B R LEVENS
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 30 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: United Way of the Lower Mainland
• Corporate Author: Canadian Police College Journal
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: French; English
• Country: Canada
• Note: FRENCH VERSION INCLUDED

Annotation

MAJOR MODELS OF POLICE-SOCIAL WORKER COLLABORATION, THE COMPONENTS OF A REFERRAL SYSTEM, AND OBSTACLES TO CLOSE COLLABORATION BETWEEN POLICE AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND EFFECTIVE CLIENT HELP ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

THE MATERIAL FOR THIS ARTICLE WAS FROM A REVIEW OF LITERATURE DEALING WITH DOMESTIC DISPUTE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS. THERE ARE THREE MODELS OF POLICE-SOCIAL WORKER COORDINATION DISCUSSED: (1) SOCIAL WORKER AS A MEMBER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT; (2) MOBILE SOCIAL WORK TEAM ON CALL TO POLICE; AND (3) AD HOC SOCIAL WORKER POLICE OFFICER COLLABORATION. THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF EACH OF THESE MODELS ARE DISCUSSED, AND THE MODEL OF THE SOCIAL WORKER SERVING AS A MEMBER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS BELIEVED TO CONTRIBUTE MOST TO POLICE-SOCIAL WORKER COLLABORATION. THE ROLE OF THE LIAISON SOCIAL WORKER IN THIS MODEL INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: REFERRAL SCREENING GUIDANCE FOR OFFICERS AND TELEPHONE OPERATORS; INTAKE AND OUTREACH; FEEDBACK TO OFFICERS ABOUT REFERRALS; FACILITATING POLICE-SOCIAL AGENCY COOPERATION; SERVING AS THE MAIN BRIDGE BETWEEN POLICE-SOCIAL AGENCY ACTIVITIES; HANDLING SOCIAL WORK INQUIRIES COMING TO POLICE; KEEPING RECORDS ON INTERVENTION CASES; AND MAINTAINING CONTACT AND SOCIAL WORKER IDENTITY WITH COLLEAGUES IN SOCIAL WORK AGENCIES. THE ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REFERRAL SYSTEM INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: POLICE USE OF REFERRAL TO SOCIAL WORKERS IN RESPONDING TO DOMESTIC SITUATIONS; POLICE TRAINED IN THE APPROPRIATE USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES; AND POLICE USE OF REFERRAL PROCEDURES THAT WILL ELICIT CLIENT RESPONSE TO THE HELP OFFERRED. EXCESSIVE EXPECTATIONS FROM EACH PROFESSION IN POLICE-SOCIAL WORKER COLLABORATION, SOCIAL CLASS BIAS BETWEEN MIDDLE CLASS SOCIAL WORKERS AND LOWER CLASS CLIENTS, AND CONTRASTING OCCUPATIONAL STEREOTYPES OF THE POLICE OFFICER AND SOCIAL WORKER CONSTITUTE THE PRINCIPAL BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE DOMESTIC INTERVENTION INVOLVING POLICE-SOCIAL WORKER COOPERATION. REFERENCES ARE LISTED. SEE NCJ #51727 FOR PART I. (RCB)