POLICE SOCIAL WORK IN SOUTH AFRICA

The core business of the South African Police Service (SAPS) is “to create a safe and secure environment for all citizens of South Africa” (SAPS, 2011:i). Social workers applying occupational social work practice fundamentals are expected to address both the organisational wellbeing of the SAPS and the social wellbeing of the personnel, but as a secondary entity within a structured, semi-military environment. This article elaborates critically on the position of police social work and argues why social workers employed by the SAPS should be acknowledged as specialists in the field of occupational social work.