Starting in October, the Estevan Police Service (EPS) expanded the role of the community programming officer to encompass the duties of an in-house social worker.
The position of the community programming officer has been filled by Monica Rae since November 2018. While she was a great fit, with her degree and experience in the social work field, she believes that the expansion of her role and the new duties she is taking on will enhance her work and will also be beneficial for the community.
"I will still continue with my responsibilities as a community programming officer. And then we will look to expand my role to encompass the new roles," Rae explained.
She added that even though the EPS' community engagement looks different these days, just like all other activities, it is still in place.
"(The pandemic) just encouraged us to become increasingly creative with ways in which we (engage with the community)," said Rae.
The role of the community engagement officer was interesting and rewarding, and the expansion of the position will make work even more valuable.
"I'm really excited about this (role). I think there is so much potential that exists. And when I have quiet moments where I sit and reflect on what the potential is for this position, and what it could mean for the EPS and what this can mean for our larger community and the connections to many of the resources that we already have in the community that can offer support to the individuals that are coming in contact with us, it really lights me up. I think there is just so much to be getting from something like this for me personally and professionally and then out to our larger community as well.
“I think that any time that we can collaborate to bring the supports that people need and ensure that they get connected to those supports and that there is a collaborative approach from our community, I think that only good things can come from that."
Prior to this time, there was no in-house social worker with the EPS. The new position will provide an opportunity for EPS and for Rae in particular to connect with people that are coming into contact with law enforcement and find the best ways to support them, put them in touch with some of the valuable services that exist in the community and provide various types of help.
"(I'll be) trying to assist them with coping skills and finding solutions to things they are struggling with, accessing resources whether it be counselling, maybe it's a resource for food and security, maybe it's further support for addiction, mental health, any of that," Rae explained.
The vision of having an in-house social worker has evolved from the administration that was looking ahead with harm reduction and overall increased attention to the health and well-being of the community. And while the EPS can't resolve all existing problems, the ways to address some of them in their work and provide more support to the community were in the talks well before the pandemic hit. And as the current situation put what's hopefully a temporary break on many community activities the EPS was always involved with, it freed up some of Rae's time and created a new opportunity.
"I'm so grateful for the vision of the administration for this organization, it excited me and it fills me with hope. And I have just felt incredibly supported in my role here and I expect that to continue going forward," Rae said.
In her role as an in-house social worker, Rae will be working with people who came in contact with the EPS in the first place. Depending on the situation, her duties may have her working with individuals on a regular basis or just providing one-time intervention and support. She believes that this new asset will enhance the work the EPS is doing to make the community a better place to live.
Again, depending on a case, Rae may be required to attend to calls alongside EPS officers, or do some follow-up work to accommodate a situation.
"I'm really passionate about this opportunity. Being able to sit back and sometimes when you meet with people and they've struggled immensely, or they've come into contact with police on multiple occasions, I really admire the opportunity to be able to sit down and really work through and help them identify the strengths they do possess … and the resilience that they have exhibited ... And I think that when we can work from that kind of approach, that's where the magic is. I'm so humbled and really excited about this position," Rae said.
Rae was in "more of a direct social work role" when she lived in Alberta. While working in Estevan, she signed up with the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers and is considered a registered social worker. Now she plans to participate in any related and relevant in-house training, and take other training opportunities available that will enhance her skills, support her role and increase her capacities to do this job to the best of her ability.
"There will be a lot of learning to me and I'm open to that," Rae said.
