Southern Establishes Center for Police Social Work, Response To 'Pressing Challenges Facing Law Enforcement'

NEW HAVEN, CT — Southern Connecticut State University has officially established the Center for Police Social Work, transforming a nationally recognized pilot initiative into a permanent academic and community-based hub for training, research, and workforce development.

The center builds on the success of the Social Work and Law Enforcement (SWLE) Project, launched in 2020 in response to Connecticut’s police accountability legislation. With its formal designation, Southern becomes one of the first universities in the country to house a dedicated center focused on advancing the emerging field of police social work.

“This work began with a clear gap,” said Dr. Isabel Logan, associate professor of social work and founder of the initiative. “There was no formal training or practice framework for how social workers and law enforcement could effectively work together. This center changes that.”

The Branford Police Department was one of the very first in the state to pioneer this approach: writing a policy and then hiring a social worker to work alongside police. Read that story here.

The Center for Police Social Work responds to one of the most pressing challenges facing law enforcement: the growing number of calls involving mental health crises, substance use, housing instability, and other non-criminal concerns.

Police social workers help bridge that gap by connecting individuals to appropriate services and reducing unnecessary involvement in the justice system.

“Police are often the only responders available 24/7,” Logan said. “But they are not social workers—and social workers are not police officers. This model allows each profession to do what they do best, together.”

The center will support both integrative models—where social workers are embedded within police departments—and collaborative models involving external partnerships, with a particular emphasis on strengthening standards and training for integrative models

Aligned with Southern’s Carnegie-designated R2 mission, the center will expand applied data collection from the field into formal research initiatives to inform best practices, policy, and funding.

“Research drives everything—from policy decisions to resource allocation,” Logan said. “This center ensures that the work happening in communities is also shaping the future of the field.”

Since its launch, the SWLE Project has grown from just two students to more than 30 trained participants across multiple states. The center will expand these opportunities through:

• A Police Social Work Clinic
• Expanded training through the Police Social Work Academy
• Workforce development initiatives
• Applied research and policy development
• Exploration of a formal certificate program
• Wellness and self-care training addressing vicarious trauma

At its core, the center aims to improve relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

“There’s been a lot of trust broken between officers and communities,” Logan said. “Police social workers can help rebuild that trust and create more effective, compassionate responses.”

The Norwich Police Department is among the early partners in the program. Lt. Nicholas Rankin said the collaboration has already demonstrated meaningful impact.

“A lot of calls don’t have a criminal element—they’re symptoms of deeper issues,” Rankin said. “Having a social worker involved means someone can follow up, navigate services, and provide continuity. It makes a real difference.”

He added that the partnership also reshapes how officers approach their work.

“You gain another perspective,” Rankin said. “It changes how you see situations—not just in the moment, but throughout your career.”

The center’s establishment reflects growing recognition of police social work as a critical component of modern public safety systems.

State Representative Jillian Gilchrest, MSW, who supported efforts to expand the initiative, emphasized its broader impact.

“The partnership between social workers and law enforcement is essential to building safer, healthier communities,” Gilchrest said. “Southern Connecticut State University is leading the way in training professionals and advancing best practices in this important field.”

Over the next five years, the Center for Police Social Work aims to publish research, establish national standards, expand workforce training across Connecticut, and strengthen partnerships nationwide.

“Police social work has been around for decades,” Logan said. “Now, it finally has a home.”

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About Southern Connecticut State University:

Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) is Connecticut’s first and only Carnegie-classified Research II university, recognized for its high research activity and commitment to innovation. As a leading public research institution, SCSU is dedicated to academic excellence, community engagement, access, and opportunity.

Located in New Haven, Connecticut, SCSU has a rich history dating back to 1893 and fosters a supportive learning environment that empowers students to become responsible global citizens.

Our world-class faculty and diverse student body collaborate on research and initiatives that address critical societal issues, driving positive change in our local community and beyond. SCSU has been named a Military Friendly® School for three consecutive years and is recognized as a top-producing Fulbright institution, underscoring its dedication to opening doors and expanding opportunities for students of all backgrounds.

For more information about Southern Connecticut State University, please visit www.southernct.edu.