I just heard about the term “police social workers,” are they social workers working with the police?

You are welcome.

Very interesting. Thank you!

Hi, Phoebe. Police social work is a small area of practice within the social work profession. Police social work first appeared as an entry in the Encyclopedia of Social Work 18th edition. At that time, police social work was defined as a new area of social work practice in which social workers provide assessment and crisis intervention to persons experiencing delinquency, mental health issues, alcohol and substance use and abuse, and family and neighbor conflicts. Additional tasks include providing services to crime victims, counseling police officers and their families, and providing training and consultation. In the Encyclopedia of Social Work 19th edition, six characteristics essential for an effective police social work program are articulated. These characteristics include cooperation between social workers and police officers, appropriate salary and skills, staff who reflect community diversity, consultation opportunities, victim assistance services, and adequate training.