Integration of Social Work Values and Principles in Police Work

Abstract

Persisting social inequities and injustices were spotlighted in the United States in 2020 after the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. A particular focus on the interactions of police officers and non-violent community members rallied a call to reallocate funds to social services better equipped to handle such situations, aptly named #defundthepolice. Many called for the need and placement of social workers in police agencies to curtail the negative interactions witnessed between police officers and communities of color, specifically with Black Americans. Across the nation, social workers are not always employed or readily available in police organizations. Therefore, instilling social work practices in police work can supplement the need for an alternate police response when resources are limited or nonexistent. This article examines the potential integration of social work values and principles as a complement to policing and delineates the identities and challenges of each profession through the lens of social identity theory. Suggestions are made to overcome the challenges by providing insight for future implications. The integration of the values and principles of social workers with the practices of police officers could promote a shift in policing toward restorative justice for community enrichment. These shifts could bring about resolution in the tumultuous relationship between communities of color and police departments across the United States and is worth consideration.