Date of Graduation
5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
School of Social Work
Advisor/Mentor
Plassmeyer, Mark
Committee Member
Gallagher, John M.
Second Committee Member
Stauss, Kimberly
Keywords
Community perceptions; community policing; crisis response; crisis response collaboration; social work policing
Abstract
This thesis examined community perceptions of the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) and its Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT), focusing on how racial minorities and individuals from lower socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds view these professionals and their roles in crisis situations. The research also aimed to determine whether perceptions of the collaborative effort through CIRT influenced views of the FPD. Previous research has explored perceptions of police, social workers, and co-response teams individually, but a gap remains in understanding how community members feel about the collaboration between police and social workers and whether these perceptions influence their views of the police. Regression analysis indicated that SES does not significantly predict views of the FPD or CIRT, rejecting the first hypothesis. Race was a significant predictor for traditional optimism towards CIRT, with White participants reporting higher optimism compared to non-White participants, partially supporting the second hypothesis. Finally, attitudes towards CIRT, particularly optimism for non-traditional policing outcomes and pessimism toward potential burdens on police, significantly influenced perceptions of police legitimacy, supporting the third hypothesis. Consequently, community perceptions of co-response programs, which involve collaboration between police and social workers, might be more positive than those of the police alone and could potentially influence overall community perceptions of the police. Understanding how community members view co-response teams is crucial for improving trust, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring that these teams meet the needs of vulnerable populations. Additionally, community support is essential for the sustainability of publicly funded programs like these.
Citation
Anspach, M. (2025). Community Perceptions of a Crisis Response Collaboration: A Community Survey of Attitudes Towards Police and the Crisis Intervention Response Team.. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5785
