Forging a Stronger Partnership
PICTURED ABOVE
Alicia Miller, DCBS Service Region Administrator, said a critical element in successful cases is an open channel of communication between her agency and law enforcement. (Photo by Michael A. Moore)
The partnership between law enforcement and the Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) is undeniable. Both entities have the same goal, which is providing for the well-being of victims – both children and vulnerable adults – of various types of abuse.
Often, the cases intersect, and the importance of getting it right is paramount, said Alicia Miller, Service Region Administrator Associate for DCBS.
“Depending on what county you’re in, you could have three different law enforcement agencies,” she said. “There can be a disconnect, no matter where you’re located. The biggest part is each agency not understanding the roles of the others.”
Communication is Vital
With the uncertainty of the role each agency plays, Alexandria Police Department Social Worker Kelly Pompilio said having open communication channels is necessary.
“Notifying law enforcement in critical cases, such as fatalities and sexual abuse, before investigating to allow joint investigations is one example,” Pompilio said. “On drug-related cases, contacting law enforcement before investigating to identify if there are concerns with drug activity. If DCBS could get access to deconfliction, this could identify if there is an ongoing drug case.”
April Davis, DCBS Service Region Administrator, agreed.
“My staff knows what a critical partnership it is (with law enforcement), and they want to have a good working relationship with law enforcement,” she explained. “Communication is so critical because those cases don’t work unless we’re both working together.”
Alexandria Police Department Social Worker Kelly Pompilio said when law enforcement and Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) are not on the same page, cases could become compromised. (Photo by Jim Robertson)
Avoid Being Counter-Productive
When law enforcement and DCBS are not on the same page, the cases both sides are working could become compromised,” Pompilio said.
“There have been times when DCBS hasn’t requested information about a family until after making contact with the family,” she elucidated. “Then, DCBS has discovered law enforcement’s involvement, which could have changed the outcome.
“There have been instances when DCBS closed a case, and law enforcement was not aware, then another incident occurred,” Pompilio continued. “There was a case when a child was injured, but law enforcement nor DCBS could prove it. Law enforcement was under the impression that DCBS opened a case and was working with the family. Another child in the household was injured only a few months later. When the new investigation was opened on that child, it was discovered the prior case had been closed.”
On the DCBS side, if law enforcement doesn’t relay information or begins an investigation without notifying social workers, it could be detrimental to that agency’s cases.
“If they do interviews without us, it’s a huge deal because, under Kentucky law (KRS 431.600), we should be doing joint investigations,” Miller explained. “DCBS has had cases where law enforcement conducts interviews, makes an arrest, and the social worker doesn’t know anything about it until the next day or if it is over the weekend, the following Monday.”
Training Opportunities
Both Miller and Pompilio said joint training could go a long way in improving the process.
“It should include the basics of what each entity does, and what their abilities and purposes are,” Miller said.
Pompilio agreed.
“It would help to understand the expectations,” she said. “It would help law enforcement understand what meets criteria (to make it a DCBS case); how to write a JC-3 (a report law enforcement prepares to send to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services). It would explain the key terms needed in writing a report. It could also help understanding interview techniques from the law enforcement perspective as well as DCBS perspective.”
Currently, each side has very little training about what roles the other plays, Davis said.
“We have many brand new social workers who don’t understand (law enforcement’s role),” she opined. “The information at the Protection and Permanency Academy about what the police can do is limited. How they learn is by working with them, so it’s on-the-job training.”
An open line of communication and an understanding of the roles each body plays is critical in a successful outcome for both DCBS and law enforcement, Miller concluded.
“We have unique skills that complement each other and make the investigation solid,” Miller said. “We’re all here for the same reason to ensure the safety of that victim, whether it be a child or an adult.”
Best Practices
DCBS to Law Enforcement:
When in doubt, always Call DCBS – DCBS may have case history law enforcement does not know about.
Respect the DCBS social workers’ insight – Listen to their concerns about the cases.
Always conduct joint interviews – it is a state mandate.
Communicate – relay all information promptly.
Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings – Every county is required to conduct MDTs in sexual abuse cases. Social workers and law enforcement representatives are required to attend.
Law Enforcement to DCBS
Obtain law enforcement’s call responses before going into the home.
Become familiar with law enforcement agencies. Know their operations, whether they have a police social worker, what shifts they have, and who the detectives are.
Know the points of contacts on each shift.
Contact law enforcement agencies regularly to identify if there have been any call responses of which DCBS should be aware.
Contact law enforcement before closing a case to make sure there are no additional concerns.
