Social worker now accompanies Kettering Police on certain calls
Kettering Police Department is now employing the use of a social worker on certain calls in a change that officers hope will reduce workload, and help citizens in need.
Through a partnership with the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services organization (ADAMHS) a social worker now often accompanies Kettering officers on calls involving mental health crises, as well as alcohol or drug addiction cases.
Officer Joe Ferrell with the department said these figures help cut back on certain calls for officers – who often respond to the same home multiple times in a shift in cases involving these circumstances – but also, to ensure citizens in need get help.
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“We do on a regular basis deal with individuals who are in some type of crisis – of mental health, substance abuse or both and our options as police officers were fairly limited,” Ferrell said. “When it comes to anyone who’s dealing with a mental health or substance abuse or addiction – if they’ve committed some type of a low-level misdemeanor alcohol-related or low-grade drug offense – they’re getting treatment versus being arrested.”
It’s the type of reform many activists have pushed for, particularly in the last eight months amid demands for police reform – reforms that, here in the Miami Valley, have had numerous police departments begin or commit to using body cameras. And in Dayton, several police working groups are currently discussing reforms that could eventually be put in place.
Pastor Renard Allen, Jr., of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton, has been among those calling for reform. He told News Center 7′s Sean Cudahy Wednesday, he’s pleased to see the changes that have taken place to date.
“I think taking the step is always positive,” Allen said.
He cautioned, though, as police departments take steps – such as, for instance, hiring mental health professionals – who they hire will be a critical part of the decision process.
“I think there needs to be more intentional diversity of hiring and of engagement of minority leaders who have the trust of the community and can help to facilitate trust from the community to the police department,” he said. “I think the three major things that we need to see going forward is accountability, diversity, and integrity.”
Meanwhile, in Kettering, the new “crisis intervention specialist” will work 40 hours during the week. It’s a change officers say the department had been eying for some time – prior to 2020, even – but one they believe is making a difference.
“It’s a great addition and great option and tool that we can use,” Ferrell said.
https://www.whio.com/news/local/social-worker-now-accompanies-kettering-police-certain-calls/