Come February, when Waukegan police officers in a new specialized unit are called to investigate a report of a wrongdoing or an individual in distress, they will have a different type of professional partner with them — a social worker.
Sgt. Mallory Baker, a 27-year veteran of the Waukegan Police Department, is overseeing the new Community Outreach Division. He said it will enable the police both to do what is necessary as first-responders and to continue providing assistance.
“We’ve never had people to help (like this) before,” Baker said. “Going on a call with a social worker will enable us to increase the chance of a less-volatile situation. We’ll be able to do the necessary follow-up after the crisis. We’ll know what they need.”
The Community Outreach Division putting police officers and social workers together to respond to appropriate situations will be fully formed in January, and on the streets of the city in February, adding a new dimension to policing.
Baker said the unit will consist of three police officers and three social workers. The officers will be selected from existing members of the department. Two of the social workers are on board and preparing for their role. The third will be hired early next month.
As part of a pilot program created in 2022 by the Illinois General Assembly, Waukegan is one of four cities putting police officers and social workers in cars together to answer calls. The other cities are Peoria, Springfield and East St. Louis.
“The co-responder pilot program takes a holistic approach and looks to lean on, not only law enforcement for the best approach, but seeks community and expert input as well,” state Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, a co-sponsor of the bill, said at the time.
Designed to deal with the impact on victims of crimes and the mental health of perpetrators as well, Waukegan police Cmdr. Adriana Cancino said she is hopeful both goals can be accomplished.
Cancino said the police first evaluate the emergency situation and calm the scene before determining the emotional needs related to the situation. The officer or social worker will likely work with the Lake County state’s attorney’s office to secure therapy for the perpetrator.
“Hopefully they can assist getting it done in a more normal setting than a jail cell,” Cancino said.
More Top Picks Best Adaptive Trikes For Special Needs Children
With the ability to assess both the direct and indirect needs of victims, Baker said the social workers will be able to follow through with the individual to assure needs are being met.
Daniela Ochoa is one of the social works in the unit. A 2014 graduate of Waukegan High School and an eight-year social worker with Waukegan Community Unit School District 60, she said this is an opportunity to make an impact on her community
“In the schools, I could only help part of the population,” Ochoa said. “Here, I can help everyone. I want to make a change in my hometown. This is a great opportunity in Waukegan.”
Police Chief Edgar Navarro said the program will improve the department’s customer service to the community. When police encounter people in a crisis, the social workers will be able to respond.
“The team will be enhancing crisis de-escalation, increasing connections to services, reducing pressure on the criminal justice system and the health care system, to name a few,” Navarro said.
Mayor Ann Taylor said she is pleased with the program’s potential to deal with the trauma of victims, and even the mental health issues of those committing crimes. It will be a more complete response.
“It will give the police (department) a chance to work with people on more of a full-time basis,” Taylor said. “When they complete the call, the social worker will be able to see people get the treatment they need.”
Baker, Cancino and Deputy Chief Craig Neal, who is also involved with the program, are police department veterans with nearly 70 years of service between them. Combining social work with policing is something new.
Neal said relationship-building has always been part of police work. The Community Outreach Division will be doing that, and may change the perception of how some people look at the police, he said.
“They will build relationships so more people will react with a different attitude,” Neal said, “The social workers will be a calming presence in a situation where it is needed.”