NCJ Number
50044
Journal
Trooper Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (JULY-AUGUST 1978) Pages: 55-57
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE WORK OF SOCIAL AGENCIES IS DISCUSSED AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THESE AGENCIES IS URGED. REASONS FOR THE SEEMINGLY POOR RESPONSE BY SOCIAL AGENCIES TO POLICE REFERRALS ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
SOCIAL WORKERS ARE HIGHLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN SOCIETY WHO ARE UNABLE TO ADJUST TO THE PRESSURES OF LIFE OR TO COPE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS. MOST STATES HAVE LAWS THAT REQUIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO REPORT SUSPECTED CASES OF CHILD ABUSE TO SOCIAL AGENCIES. THE POLICE, HOWEVER, OFTEN FIND THAT THESE AGENCIES DO NOT RESPOND TO THEIR COMPLAINTS. THIS SITUATION CAN BE IMPROVED IF POLICE OFFICERS INCLUDE ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION WHEN REPORTING A CASE TO AN AGENCY AND LET THE AGENCY KNOW IF AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE IS REQUIRED. POLICE OFFICERS ARE NOT ALWAYS AWARE THAT THE SOCIAL WORKER'S ORIENTATION IS BOTH INVESTIGATIVE AND DIAGNOSTIC AND THAT OFFICERS SHOULD SEEK ADVICE FROM SOCIAL WORKERS CONCERNING THE KINDS OF ACTION THEY SHOULD TAKE IN SITUATIONS INVOLVING BOTH AGENCIES. POLICE OFFICERS OFTEN COMPLAIN THAT RESPONSES TO REFERRALS ARE SLOW, BUT THEY ARE NOT ALWAYS AWARE THAT FAMILY PROBLEMS ARE NOT EASILY SOLVED AND IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY VISIBLE. THERE ARE ALSO SOME FAMILIES THAT DO NOT RESPOND TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND CANNOT BE HELPED. A SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY MAY NOT RESPOND TO A REFERRAL BECAUSE IT JUDGES ACTION INAPPROPRIATE OR BECAUSE THE LAW IMPEDES ACTION. A LACK OF RESOURCES OR SERVICES MAY PREVENT RESPONSE; THIS IS OFTEN THE CASE IN INCIDENTS OF WIFE ABUSE. KNOWLEDGE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND FOLLOWUP ON REFERRALS WILL HELP POLICE OFFICERS FEEL THAT THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST FOR THOSE THEY SERVE. (DAG)