NCJ Number
79394
Journal
Social Casework Volume: 62 Issue: 7 Dated: (September 1981) Pages: 426-433
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The Illinois police-social work model is described as a program which diverts people from the justice system toward social service delivery.
Abstract
The distinctive characteristics of the model are (1) the location of social workers in police stations, (2) 24-hour availability of workers, and (3) staffing of senior positions by social workers with master's degrees. The program, which began with pilot teams serving three Chicago suburban communities with diverse economic, ethnic, and racial populations, has now been replicated in 45 Illinois communities, other parts of the United States, and in areas of Europe. Each of the police-social work teams has been tailored to meet the needs of its own community, law enforcement agency, and local political structure, but objectives common to all are (1) to provide direct services to individuals, families, and communities; (2) to engage in interdisciplinary cooperation; (3) to establish a helping relationship in the community and with its agencies; and (4) to use available resources to enhance service delivery. Guidelines for interdisciplinary cooperation were established to facilitate mutual acceptance and interdependence among officers and the social workers. Prior to the inception of the model, three alternatives existed for police following an arrest: dropping the charge, court referral, or station adjustment. The fourth alternative which now exists is referral to social services. Research shows that because of the program, about 10 percent of youths referred to the police-social worker program by a youth officer were being diverted from juvenile court. Other issues discussed are the prevention aspects of the service, considerations for future teams, physical and organizational locations, salary scales, counseling of police officers, and the need for uniform criteria and evaluation. Sixteen footnotes are listed.