[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Can someone give a scenario (911 call) where it would be appropriate and safe for an unarmed social worker to go to alone? I am having a hard time thinking of one.

There is none, because no matter what the caller says, you can't believe what they say.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by skyking

Would anyone with a child trained as a social worker (MSW) advise them to apply for such a position?

You nailed it

[Bay Kid]

Will social workers get a gun and taser?

[Strongel]

Originally Posted by bpascani

I can see a social worker type person (in one or more of those fields) accompanying 2 police officers, but certainly not going alone, AND, only after a WHOLE LOT of extra training for them, and the police officers

A close friend and social worker often goes with police when a child is involved and may need to be taken from the home. It is rough, there are threats, sometimes violence. If it is an older child and he jumps out at a traffic light, the attitude is to let them go or the social worker may get hurt. He then reports the incident. For one trained as a caregiver to go alone is ridiculous.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

There is none, because no matter what the caller says, you can't believe what they say.

idk, maybe a hostage or suicide standoff? it's hard to tell without knowing exact situations. what do you guys think of social workers riding along with the cops? good or bad idea?

[Strongel]

Originally Posted by PugMom

idk, maybe a hostage or suicide standoff? it's hard to tell without knowing exact situations. what do you guys think of social workers riding along with the cops? good or bad idea?

A special breed of police chaplains do this but they are few.
Police tend to be as aggressive as the bad guys. There is a good reason for this. A chaplain (hopefully with a very noticeable white collar), may try to calm a difficult situation. In an age where religion is often spat upon by a new generation, even this may be less helpful.

Chaplains and social workers work for a pittance yet their work is so admirable....to those who understand. We need both police and these people to help live in a sane world IMHO.

[Steve9930]

Just a plain old stupid idea.

[Tennisbum]

Terrible idea! I was an trained EMT for our fire department for a number of years. We would respond to 911 calls that were not "police" related. More then one crackhead or methhead call out was only solved by the fact that my partnerr and I were both 6' 195lbs and in good shape. Some poor little 120 lb social worker will end up dead with this idea. Unless you have responded to those call you have no idea what it's like out there

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Tennisbum

Terrible idea! I was an trained EMT for our fire department for a number of years. We would respond to 911 calls that were not "police" related. More then one crackhead or methhead call out was only solved by the fact that my partnerr and I were both 6' 195lbs and in good shape. Some poor little 120 lb social worker will end up dead with this idea. Unless you have responded to those call you have no idea what it's like out there

Why would you think a politician would not know better than the rest of us or people with first hand experience. Sad isnt it.

[Steve9930]

Nothing but politicians pandering to the mob.

[Bucco]

To those who mock and malign this idea, it is not as new as you think and should be allowed to be tried.


"Two studies suggest that one in four people shot dead by the police have psychiatric conditions"

Riding shotgun - Why American departments are sending social workers to answer 911 calls | United States | The Economist

"These Cities Replaced Cops With Social Workers, Medics, and People Without Guns
And it worked pretty well."

These Cities Replaced Cops With Social Workers, Medics, and People Without Guns - VICE

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by Steve9930

Nothing but politicians pandering to the mob.

I see anyone who will try something new to replace something that has shown not to work to be professionals responding to problems

Originally Posted by Bucco

To those who mock and malign this idea, it is not as new as you think and should be allowed to be tried.


"Two studies suggest that one in four people shot dead by the police have psychiatric conditions"

Riding shotgun - Why American departments are sending social workers to answer 911 calls | United States | The Economist

"These Cities Replaced Cops With Social Workers, Medics, and People Without Guns
And it worked pretty well."

These Cities Replaced Cops With Social Workers, Medics, and People Without Guns - VICE

very interesting and worth a try but if drug use and sex work are classified as crimes the police will still have to be involved to make an arrest. I support reclassifying drug use and sex work as non crimes in a lesser category so social workers can be used. I have read of drug users serving prison terms up to 10 years which is too harsh.

[kathy1516]

No social worker in their right mind would answer a 911 call in a sketchy neighborhood without an armed police officer. I’m speaking from experience.

[Steve9930]

Originally Posted by Bucco

I see anyone who will try something new to replace something that has shown not to work to be professionals responding to problems

The out come to this policy will be dead social workers. Policies put in place by people who never did the job.