Supporting mental health is a key part of any healthy and thriving organization. The Michigan City Police Department (MCPD) knows this. Using funds awarded through a HealthLinc grant, the MCPD has added a valued social worker to its force.
Committed to fulfilling this need, the MCPD began the process of adding a social worker in 2021.
“HealthLinc CEO Beth Wrobel told me about the grant, so the team and I worked to gather information to meet the grant requirements,” said Assistant Chief Marty Corley. “Throughout that process, we determined what it would look like for us, met with the city to finalize the position, and began getting applicants.”
Identifying the need for a social worker was obvious to Corley.
"There are some community members that we interact with on a daily basis,” said Corley. “They’re not really doing anything criminal, and having a social worker helps us deal with some of the issues that we come across when it comes to mental health and trauma.”
Today, Social Worker Jocelyn Colburn contributes to the force through multiple means.
First and foremost, Colburn acts as a resource for the entire force.
“Having a social worker in our department allows us to give officers another tool that they can use,” Chief Steven Forker said. “Instead of the officer always having to find a solution, the social worker could come along and help find those solutions."
In addition to being a thought partner, Colubrn also does a lot of legwork on her own. Organizing partnerships, Colburn connects with groups around Michigan City and La Porte County to serve needs throughout the community.
“One thing that we're working on right now is supporting the homeless population that we have,” said Forker. “Jocelyn has created partnerships with several community organizations that provide direct help and assistance.”
For the MCPD, working smarter is crucial to the work they do.
“All of the local Michigan City partners are already providing services, and now we're taking a proactive approach to ultimately get people the help they need,” said Forker.
Knowing that to take care of others you have to take care of yourself, Colburn is also working to shore up resources for those inside the force as well.
“One key goal is getting started on an officer wellness program,” said Colburn. “This can go in many directions, but it would include education about mental health, physical health, and nutrition.”
Another key piece of Colburn’s work is to ensure that officers have support after experiencing traumatic calls.
For the MCPD, police work should be community work. The addition of a social worker to the force allows them to better do the job they were already doing.
“Social workers are not here to replace policing but to add another element to policing,” said Corely. “You shouldn’t incarcerate people for their mental illness or trauma. You deal with it in a different way. Social work allows you to do that.”
To learn more about the Michigan City Police Department, visit www.emichigancity.com/160/Police.
