Routledge Police Social Work: Social Work Practice in Law Enforcement Agencies

Grounded in contemporary social work practice approaches such as trauma-informed practice, cultural competency, and systems theory, this book provides a model for developing, implementing, and evaluating police social work and social service collaboration within the context of contemporary policing strategies. The practice of professional social work in law enforcement agencies is increasingly becoming an important area of practice. Police social work, as it is known, benefits community residents and assists law enforcement agencies with accomplishing community policing and other problem-solving initiatives. Throughout 13 chapters, this book covers: The practice of professional social work within law enforcement agencies The types of social problems addressed and characteristics of police social work collaborations Ethical and other practice issues that arise when collaborating with law enforcement agencies and required practice skills to address these issues An examination of collaborations formed between law enforcement agencies and social services agencies in which the service providers are not professional social workers A model for developing police social work collaborations and investigating collaboration effectiveness Expanded roles for police social work practice such as consultation, officer selection, training recruits and police officers, and assisting their families Police Social Work provides a wealth of case studies and other reference material to prepare students for police social work practice, as well as serving as a resource for police officers, recruits, and students majoring in policing. About the Author George T. Patterson is Associate Professor in the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, City University of New York. A certified police instructor and police social worker, Dr. Patterson has served as a visiting professor and curriculum advisor in several law enforcement training academies, trained police officers and recruits, and teaches criminal justice courses to social work students. He has published on the topics of police social work, the stress of police work, and coping among police officers and recruits. His written testimony is included in the May 2015 Final Report of the Task Force on 21st Century Policing established by President Barack Obama, and his research results are included in An Evidence-Assessment of the Recommendations of the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.