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9 <br /> <br />Embedded Social Worker <br />Hennepin County established a new program in 2019 to have an embedded social <br />worker amongst officers in police departments throughout the County. In 2022, Orono, <br />along with 6 other local departments joined this program. The goal is to connect <br />individuals that may be experiencing homelessness, mental health situations, and/or <br />substance abuse issues with a social worker that can provide ongoing support, <br />resources and appropriate services. Officers can provide referrals to the social worker <br />when they are concerned about a citizen’s situation and ongoing care. <br /> <br />In 2023, 120 cases were referred to our social worker. Positive impacts have been <br />made from both the law enforcement system side and those that are experiencing <br />these health concerns. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />High School Forensics Day <br />The Orono High School offers a forensics class to their students. In this class, the <br />students conduct multiple labs relating to forensic science that routinely occurs in law <br />enforcement. The Orono Police Department, along with <br />officers from West Hennepin Public Safety, have hosted a <br />Forensics Day class for the past several years. The day <br />includes sessions from the Hennepin <br />County Medical Examiner’s Office, a K-9 <br />demonstration and multiple interactive stations and scenario based <br />incidents where the students play the role as police officers and <br />interact with role players. They conduct traffic stops, with scenarios <br />that officers encounter daily, including compliant drivers and <br />drivers that need to be arrested. <br />At another station, students can see, feel and try on different police equipment, <br />including SWAT gear. The day provides some hands-on experiences for the students <br />and a chance to have positive interactions with our officers. <br />2020-2021 <br />15 workers <br />2019 <br />5 workers <br />2022 <br />31 workers <br />2023 <br />45 workers <br />Embedded Social Worker Expansion within Hennepin County <br />203