The Joplin Police Department recently introduced a program beginning earlier this year that merges social work with law enforcement to better approach the rising number of mental health and social work-related calls the department receives.
This initiative is a collaboration with the Ozark Center, a local behavioral healthcare facility operated by the Freeman Health System, that supports individuals of all ages facing mental health challenges, abuse, and addiction.
Joplin Police Chief Richard Pearson recognizes and acknowledges that traditional police officers lack the “time, expertise, and wherewithal” to handle issues around mental health and rehabilitation, and has brought on three department social workers to work with officers and help ensure these cases get the help and services they require.
As a team, their role is to connect clients in crisis with the necessary services, with a goal to end the cycle of detainment and short-term solutions.
Team member Cory Fisk compared his role to a construction crew, saying “if everyone on the crew is a General Contractor, who is going to do the labor?” He emphasized the importance of understanding a problem before attempting to solve it. The team can provide that through both training and personal experiences.
Fisk, along with the other team members, hope to see the program gain traction over time,
“I hope to free up officers from responding to calls where there is not a criminal matter, and we can insert ourselves,” team leader Joe Vera said.
Pearson highlighted a case involving an individual who had been relocated from Branson to Joplin who resorted to petty thefts to survive. The team was able to connect this individual to resources that helped return them to Branson, successfully breaking the cycle of arrest and release from the Joplin city jail.
Pearson is confident that once the police officers become comfortable with the addition to the department, Joplin will see a decrease in unnecessary arrests, and potentially a decrease in the growing homeless population.
If you or someone you know are experiencing a mental health or social emergency, dial 911. Otherwise, people who require social support can contact the Ozark Center in Joplin at 417-347-7720 or 988.
