Police Social Work

Forensic social work, working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system, has a highly specialized practice area of Police Social Work (PSW). Unfortunately, there is a lack of training and guidance for the development of PSW programs. This action research project compiled the experiences from a new PSW program, as students collect data, summarize benefits, identify resources and create documents and professional presentations to contribute to foundational knowledge for PSW programs. The students will report on their time developing a police social work program within a local police department. The students will share foundational training and contacts made with another police social worker to use her knowledge to help create release and consent forms. The students are keeping track of all interactions they have within the community and the data and statistics will be shared. The students have also created a community guide for officers to give to individuals they feel will benefit from outside services. Ultimately, students and faculty will share this project at a national conference. This project has the potential to make significant contributions to the field, including increasing the competence of two MSW students, assisting community residents in receiving valuable social work services, assisting others who wish to implement a PSW program and adding to the literature on PSW.