Martinsburg Initiative director Margaret proposes police social worker pilot for Charles Town

Margaret, introduced by the police chief and representing the Martinsburg Initiative and the Jefferson Berkeley Alliance on Substance Use Prevention, urged the council to approve a pilot embedded police social worker for the Charles Town Police Department.

"This will be a graduate level social worker embedded in the police department," Margaret said, describing the role as a second responder who would provide de‑escalation, targeted crisis intervention, follow‑up referrals and community education. She said the position would have an office in the department and would not serve as a first responder.

Margaret proposed a part‑time pilot starting July 1 with an initial cost of $38,000 and said the program would require roughly $75,000 annually to support a full‑time position in year two. She said the Martinsburg Initiative already runs a three‑person police social work program in Martinsburg and has established protocols, training and partnerships to support the work.

Council members asked about funding, supervision and scope. A council member asked whether grant writing would fall to the social worker; Margaret said her organization would pursue grants and manage that work. Police leadership and other members said the program would add a non‑police resource to help with mental‑health, substance‑use and family crises.

The chief called the proposal "an asset" and said officers routinely respond to incidents — from runaway juveniles to domestic violence — where a trained social worker would provide follow‑up and resources. Council members indicated they would add the MOU and funding discussion to a near‑term agenda for further review and possible action.