NCJ Number
81269
Date Published
1980
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article describes the police/social worker prevention program in Hannover, West Germany, which is designed to bridge the gap between police and social workers and to coordinate their efforts.
Abstract
Under the program, social workers provide around-the-clock crisis intervention for children, families, and suicides without being integrated in the police service. Evaluation shows that the program served many older people, that citizens themselves began to seek out the social workers, and that the most common assistance needs were related to alcohol, helplessness, psychological difficulties, and domestic quarrels. Peak times for service calls were 4:00 to 8:00 pm; peak days of the week were Fridays and Mondays. While most adult clients were the victims of a crime incident, juvenile clients under 18 were more often the perpetrators of theft and shoplifting offenses. The critique that clients would not trust counselors associated with the police was not borne out by client satisfaction, as reported by the social workers. In general, the service was found to fill a gap in the provision of needed psychosocial services. A distinct advantage for both police and clients was the availability of psychological counselors after office hours, while social workers gained a better understanding of police working conditions. An expanded program will emphasize social worker assistance to juvenile crime suspects and juveniles known to the police as being at risk. The provision of long-range therapeutic measures is planned for this group. Tables, graphs, and footnotes are supplied.