NCJ Number
105828
Date Published
1986
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the Prevention Program Police/Social Workers (PPS) in Hanover, West Germany, a project involving police-social worker cooperation in dealing with noncriminal problem behaviors or minor criminal behavior as well as with victim needs.
Abstract
Begun in 1979, PPS provides for seven social workers to have offices in one of the police precinct buildings. Using three shifts, they are on call from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., including weekends and holidays. Police make referrals to the social workers, although the social workers may be directly contacted by citizens. The social workers primarily offer crisis intervention to juveniles, crime victims, and persons experiencing emergencies. Continuous care is offered persons at high risk for criminal behavior. Social workers do not involve themselves in police investigations, and the police do not dictate how social workers should handle cases. Police do not solicit information from social workers for investigative purposes. In 1984, 934 new cases were referred by police to social workers. Most were family disputes and alcohol problems. Some 20 percent of PPS clients were juveniles. Overall, the program has been effective, and police-social worker cooperation has been satisfactory. Some problems are police reluctance to refer juveniles to the program and differing police and social worker interpretations of which cases should be referred. 4 notes.