In 2019, the Lancaster City Bureau of Police hired its first Police Social Worker (PSW) to assist officers and serve as a bridge to local social services. Not every call we receive requires a police officer. In many instances, those in need are looking for assistance in finding the right support services to help them cope with a high-trauma living situation.
Our PSWs provide crisis response to individuals and families in our community. They work in tandem with the Lancaster City Police Department to help bridge relationships between our officers and the community by giving on-site support to victims of domestic violence, mental health crises, substance abuse issues, and other challenging issues.
The Lancaster City PSW team proactively connects residents with local resources and identifies new solutions to keep community members safe. They play an essential role in our community as they are an immediate point of contact for those who may be experiencing homelessness or mental health issues or need support after a traumatic event.
Every day our PSWs follow up with residents and community resource providers until the best social services have been put in place to help these individuals and families in need.
Internally, our PSWs have played an integral role in initiating officer wellness and trauma training. This training provides officers with important information on how they can care for themselves and their loved ones while carrying out their daily duties on the job. Officers also look to our PSWs for support after experiencing a traumatic incident on or off the job. Due to the success of this program, we have expanded the PSW program in our department.
Our PSWs have also assisted other departments in Pennsylvania to develop and implement their own PSW programs. Supporting and raising up surrounding communities keeps Lancaster safe, which is why we want to ensure everyone has access to the best care, opportunities, and possibilities.
Community Resources Card
Please download and print our Community Resources Card which provides up-to-date information on local shelters, free food, clothes, and more.
- Community Resources Card (PDF) – English
- Tarjeta de recursos de la ciudad de Lancaster (PDF) – Español
