Waynesville Police partner with social worker for crisis response

The Waynesville Police Department is taking a new approach to help people in crisis. They have partnered with Western Carolina's Community Care Program to provide social work support alongside police officers. This initiative aims to improve responses to non-criminal calls, such as those related to mental health and substance use. Kasey Curcio is an intern who began working with the Waynesville Police in January 2024. She is gaining hands-on experience while completing her bachelor’s degree. Curcio's role includes connecting officers with local nonprofits and resources to assist individuals in need. She has worked to create a resource guide that helps police quickly find support contacts after hours. As part of her duties, Curcio accompanies officers on calls. She aims to build trust with both the police and the individuals they serve. Her presence can help de-escalate situations, allowing officers to focus on their other responsibilities. Each encounter is unique, and Curcio understands that participation in conversations is voluntary. Curcio’s work has fostered trust between her and the officers. They now reach out to her for advice on cases, enhancing teamwork. She also developed a referral system so officers can request her help even when she is not present. Chief David Adams emphasizes the benefits of this collaboration. He notes that both officers and social workers can learn from each other. Adams hopes for more joint training sessions in the future to better tackle similar challenges they face in the community. Curcio has decided to stay in Waynesville to complete her master’s program, excited to continue her work with the police department.