More Social Workers Paired With Cops In Bucks Co.

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Through the new Human Services Co-Responder program, Bucks County has hired two new social workers, who will work with police from the Falls Township and Middletown Township Police Departments.

The two new employees, known by the title 'co-responders', Jessica Manzo and Cara Gadzinski, began work with the police departments on Wednesday, Dec. 8. Their responsibilities will be to help people in need of social services instead of involving the police and the overall criminal justice system.

Co-responders also help police officers by reducing the amount of time they spend on calls not related to a serious crime. Many of the calls co-responders handle involve people with mental health issues who are involved in non-criminal activities.

“I am honored that Middletown and Falls accepted our offer to continue the pilot co-responder program into their municipalities,” said Bucks County Commissioners Chair Diane Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW.

“I am certain this is going to provide relief for officers who have been managing human service issues, and will be a responsive service for residents facing challenges.”

The program, which was launched in Bucks County in December of 2020, saw its first hiring of co-responders to aid officers in the Bensalem Police Department. A recent Salary Board meetings approved the hiring of even more co-responders, who will work with officers in both Bristol Borough and Township, as well as the Tullytown area.

“After seeing the success of the co-responder program in Bensalem, we are excited to partner with Falls Township PD for this second round of the co-responder program,” said Middletown Township Police Chief Joe Bartorilla.

“I’m grateful to our county government for pursuing the grant to make this possible. We’re looking forward to implementing the co-responder program in Middletown Township to help our police department better protect and serve our great Middletown Township community.”

Both of the new hires will be paid and funded by the county for the next two years. The new hires will work directly with the District Attorney’s and Public Defender’s offices, as well as the Area Agency on Aging, the Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency and the Network of Victim Assistance.

“We are very excited to bring this program to the community of Falls Township,” said Falls Police Chief Nelson Whitney. “This co-responder program represents another innovative step in improving services to our residents and improving their quality of life.”