Pawtucket Police Partnering With Victim Support 'Go Team'

PAWTUCKET, RI — Starting this week, a trained social worker from Family Service of Rhode Island will accompany members of the Pawtucket Police Department on some calls.

FSRI calls it the "Go Team." The program was launched in 2004 to partner trauma-trained social workers with police departments. The social workers offer "immediate, on-scene psychological first aid" to children and families exposed to violence, said Jenna Pfueller, marketing and communications manager for FSRI.

The Go Team provides crisis intervention, trauma support and language assistance to victims and witnesses of violent crimes such as sexual assault, human trafficking, homicide, suicide, and domestic violence, Pfueller said.

“When responding to calls for assistance, police officers bear the heavy responsibility of simultaneously apprehending a perpetrator, while also protecting the vulnerable,” Pfueller remarked. "Because of our Go Teams, officers are able to respond to the scene with immediate social services, critical to break the cycle of trauma for victims."

Go Team members are not armed, but accompany police on certain calls.

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FSRI is still recruiting for the full-time position. Until that person is hired, an existing staff member will cover Pawtucket, Pfueller said.

Go Team, launched in 2004, already provides victims' services alongside police in Providence, East Providence, and Central Falls. They also work with Rhode Island State Police. Talks about starting the program in Pawtucket began last summer with talks between FSRI leadership, Mayor Donald Grebien, and Acting Public Safety Director Tina Goncalves.

“We are excited to start this work with the representative,” said Goncalves in a news release from Grebien's office. “These services and the overall support are important to our community and the victims of any crime.”

The program will be paid for through federal funds in partnership with the Providence-based Nonviolence Institute, and by funds provided by the City of Pawtucket. FSRI has crafted a memorandum of understanding with the city, Pfueller said.

The GO Team has helped thousands of victims who are experiencing trauma due to crime. People who need victim services, or those who know someone who does, should contact the Pawtucket Police Department at 401-727-9100.