Branford's Police Social Worker Is Making A 'Huge Impact'

BRANFORD, CT — Today is World Social Worker Appreciation Day and March is the month social workers are celebrated. As Branford police noted in a Facebook post Tuesday, the department appreciates its police social worker, Danielle Suraci.

As reported by Patch in September 2021, the town and Branford police did something few, if any, Connecticut police departments have done: it hired a social worker.

Suraci's job is to work with police officers to assist in the field on calls that may involve someone who's in the throes of a mental health episode or a similar crisis.

Read the full September 2021 story here.

Police often respond to calls that are difficult to navigate. And that may "involve someone who can be categorized as 'gravely disabled,' people who may show small signs and cues to a loved one or to the investigating officer that something is just not right." Her job is to help. And she's been busy from her first day on the job.

Branford police updated the community on the "impact" Suraci has had in the 7 months since she was hired. She's written 103 reports for cases. "In short, her second-responder assistance and expertise is utilized very often. Not only does she accompany our officers to cases out in the field several times a day, but she also follows up on referral cases if her attention isn’t immediately required."

Suraci has made a "huge impact" on police day-to-day operations.

"She continuously helps provide folks in our community long-term assistance and resources. She is able to follow up on care plans and see her cases all the way through," police wrote.