NCJ Number
46267
Journal
JOURNAL OF EDUCATION FOR SOCIAL WORK Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (SPRING 1976) Pages: 43-50
Date Published
1976
Length
8 pages
Annotation
ON THE BASIS OF EXPERIENCES OF A 3-YEAR RESEARCH PROJECT, CONSIDERATIONS AND ISSUES PERTAINING TO SOCIAL SERVICES DELIVERY IN THE POLICE SETTING ARE DISCUSSED; IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND EDUCATION ARE NOTED.
Abstract
THE 3-YEAR PROJECT INVOLVED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOCIAL SERVICES UNIT WITHIN 2 POLICE DEPARTMENTS NEAR CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. THE UNITS PROVIDED SOCIAL ASSESSMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT AND THE CLIENT, A 24-HOUR CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICE, COUNSELING AND GROUP SERVICES, AND REFERRAL TO COMMUNITY AGENCIES. DURING THE PROJECT, 618 INDIVIDUALS WERE REFERRED TO THE UNIT, USUALLY BY THE POLICE, AND OVER 1,000 RECEIVED SERVICES. CLIENTS TENDED TO HAVE SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AND INCLUDED RUNAWAYS, TRUANTS, INCORRIGIBLES, THE MENTALLY ILL, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH ALCOHOL OR FAMILY/MARITAL PROBLEMS. IN AN AUTHORITARIAN AND PREDOMINANTLY MALE SETTING, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONAL TO HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD THE POLICE, THE LAW, AND LIMIT-SETTING, AS WELL AS A HIGH DEGREE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE. EFFECTIVE INTERPROFESSIONAL COOPERATION WILL REQUIRE ENTHUSIASM AND DEDICATION ON THE PART OF THE WORKER AND A SENSITIVITY TOWARD THE PERSONALITIES, ATTITUDES, AND NEEDS OF THE POLICE OFFICERS. COMPREHENSIVE ORIENTATION TO THE COMMUNITY, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE AGENCIES AND OTHER AVAILABLE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY ARE ALSO VERY IMPORTANT. THE ISSUE OF CONFIDENTIALITY BETWEEN SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS AND THE POLICE CAUSED INITIAL DIFFICULTY, LATER RESOLVED BY OBTAINING THE CLIENT'S CONSENT TO ANY DISCLOSURES TO POLICE EXCEPT WHERE THE CLIENT'S BEHAVIOR WAS IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW OR INJURIOUS TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS. THE UNIT STAFF ALSO FACED THE PROBLEM OF MANAGEMENT OF THE UNMOTIVATED ACTING-OUT CLIENT (SEEN MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE POLICE SETTING THAN IN THE CLINICAL SETTING. THIS WILL REQUIRE A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE REGARDING THE USE OF AUTHORITY IN SERVICE DELIVERY AND TRAINING FOR SUCH SKILLS AS USING CONFRONTATION, LIMIT-SETTING, HANDLING MANIPULATIVE BEHAVIORS, AND INVOLVING THE CLIENT IN SELF-EXAMINATION AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS BEHAVIOR. UNITS DESCRIBED PROVIDE A TRAINING GROUND FOR SOCIAL SERVICES STUDENTS, FACILITATE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY, INCREASE MUTUAL RESPECT AND UNDERSTANDING THROUGH INTERDISCIPLINARY COOPERATION, AND PROVIDE A POINT OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY. SOCIAL WORK MUST REEXAMINE ITS TRADITIONAL ATTITUDES, ORIENTATIONS, AND PRACTICES IF SUCH INTERDISCIPLINARY EFFORTS ARE TO BE EFFECTIVE. (JAP)