Counseling and Crisis Response Support Police social workers complement the efforts of law enforcement officers, expanding the services provided by local police and sheriff’s departments. According to ZipRecruiter, they “provide counseling and crisis response support for community members who are referred by police officers.” They can be employed by various law enforcement organizations or by social service agencies that partner with law enforcement. Crisis social work is often challenging and risky, although it’s valuable and potentially very rewarding as well. In addition to providing support for domestic violence and substance abuse victims, police social workers collaborate with first-responders to negotiate with distressed individuals. They counsel those who are grieving for lost loved ones and develop programs for at-risk youth. To facilitate their own efforts, they also provide counseling to police officers and their families, as well as training programs to address: Stress management Mental illness Substance abuse Domestic violence Child abuse A lot can happen in just one shift doing this type of social work. Unpredictable events are a common occurrence. The intense demands of the job are enough to test anyone’s mettle. Nonetheless, your role as a police social worker would be to act as a stabilizing force in the midst of what are often chaotic and dangerous situations. This job calls for poise and resilience that characterize remarkably few people — that’s why there’s such a great need for them. A Bridge to Essential Resources The police social worker's function as a civilian crisis responder places them in a unique position — much like a bridge to vital resources that people could desperately need. People seeking help may require counseling beyond a police officer’s abilities, and so would potentially need referrals for treatment. Children and other vulnerable people may respond differently to unarmed social workers than to police officers, so providing police social workers creates additional essential resources to help cover gaps in the system. These workers effectively enhance the overall breadth of services provided by law enforcement and crisis response officials. They often make follow-up calls that police officers can’t commit to as they’re typically responding to high-priority dispatches. Plus, they help connect people to the services and available resources they need. It would be difficult to overstate the value these workers provide to their clients, the agencies they work with, and the communities they serve.