Social Worker Police Department

This is a full‑time civilian role that serves as a liaison between law enforcement, residents, and social‑service agencies. The position performs crisis intervention, mental‑health assessment, short‑term counseling, victim advocacy, case‑management, community outreach, and follow‑up services for individuals or families encountered by law enforcement. As part of the police department’s crisis response and intervention program, it responds with police personnel to assist in handling police interactions with individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, domestic violence, and other crises, and provides ongoing stabilization services to those individuals.

Responsibilities focus on assisting officers on scene, diverting individuals from unnecessary arrest or hospitalization, and connecting them to appropriate community resources.

• Provide victim advocacy, crisis intervention, and short‑term counseling.
• Conduct diagnostic assessments, develop treatment plans, and provide professional consultation.
• Support cases involving domestic violence, substance abuse, grief, aging, juvenile delinquency, and mental health.
• Make referrals to community resources and follow up on referrals from police, schools, hospitals, DCFS, and other agencies.
• Collaborate with police officers, detectives, schools, hospitals, DCFS, mental‑health facilities, and community partners.
• Advocate for clients’ rights and help them navigate complex systems to improve overall well‑being.
• Serve as a consultant to police personnel regarding case management and interactions with individuals in crisis.
• Provide emergency social‑service assistance to officers in the field; respond to calls for service; assist with death notifications, victim advocacy, and mandated reporting.
• Respond to police calls involving mental health crises, domestic disputes, youth crises, substance use, homelessness, and vulnerable adults.
• Conduct on‑scene and in‑station crisis assessments, safety planning, and de‑escalation.
• Provide short‑term counseling, stabilization, and referrals to behavioral‑health providers.
• Perform follow‑up welfare checks and ongoing case management.
• Deliver community outreach and training for police personnel on mental‑health response and trauma‑informed practices.
• Prepare statistical reports and assist with program evaluations.
• Maintain accurate, timely, confidential case records in compliance with federal/state laws and professional standards.
• Provide after‑hours emergency social‑service assistance as assigned.
• Act as a court liaison and client advocate for both criminal and civil cases; may prepare custody evaluations.
• Provide case‑management services assisting clients in assessing resources and services such as healthcare, housing, employment assistance, financial support, and social support networks.
• Deliver education and prevention services to the community through workshops, seminars, outreach programs, and other means to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote mental wellness.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Ability to work in a primarily sedentary position, occasionally lifting, carrying or moving objects normally found in an office setting; occasionally and/or frequently lifting or exerting force up to 20 pounds. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods. The employee is subject to indoor environmental conditions that provide protection from weather but not necessarily from temperature changes.

No environmental hazards are involved in this position. Requires visual ability to read, write reports and correspondence, and use a computer. Requires speaking ability to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over the phone.

Work is performed under the general direction of the Police Chief. The employee must work independently, within the overall framework and policies set by the Police Department. Performance is reviewed through observation, completion of daily and assigned tasks, and communication with the Police Chief. Work is formally evaluated at least annually, with respect to social‑work expertise,…