Miramar to be first city in Broward County to hire police social worker in police department

MIRAMAR, FL –   The City of Miramar and Police Department hosted a press conference on Monday, March 13, to announce the hiring of Broward County’s first social worker to aid in community policing.

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The new position will be funded in the first year, by the Office of Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, the 1^st Haitian-American Democrat elected to Congress.

Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick shared that community project funding was included in the Federal 2023 budget, which has allowed Members of Congress to respond directly to the district’s most pressing issues.

“I proudly requested this funding for the City of Miramar – Public Safety and Mental Health Program to ensure trained crisis mental professionals collaborate with law enforcement to reduce tragic encounters,” she said.

“We must increase efforts to improve officer crisis intervention training and mental health outreach programs. Our law enforcement is a cornerstone of public safety and something we must work to improve throughout our communities,” she added.

The social worker’s role is to evaluate and defuse situations that necessitate a non-combat reaction to 911 calls. Also, the social worker will not operate like a police officer, will not be the first to arrive, has no authority to make arrests, and does not have access to a firearm.

Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis noted that while there have been cries by many to defund the police, those in the City of Miramar believe hiring a police social worker will act as an “additional tool in the police department’s toolbox.”

“It will help Miramar Police handle calls related to mental health, substance abuse, and other social/domestic issues.  A social worker is trained to deescalate situations from a social service standpoint and recommend the corrective course of action in an effort avert undue injury,” he said.

Meanwhile, interim Police Chief Dr. Jose Vargas expressed excitement about the new Police Social Worker position, stating that he hopes it enhances the Police Department’s relationship with the community.