GLASGOW, Ky. — Briana Brooks once envisioned a future in law enforcement.

Today, the Glasgow native works alongside officers at the Glasgow Police Department in a role focused on helping victims and families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Brooks, a 2017 graduate of Glasgow High School, was hired last fall as the department’s first-ever police advocate through funding provided by the city’s opioid abatement allocation.

She initially pursued an undergraduate degree in criminal justice at Eastern Kentucky University before an injury altered her path and led her toward social work.

“I had full intentions on doing something in law enforcement,” she said. “Then I started working at DCBS in Madison County, and I really just fell in love with social work as a whole.”

Last May, Brooks earned a master’s degree in social work from Western Kentucky University and became a certified social worker, allowing her to practice therapy under supervision.

Then an opening became available back home in Glasgow, giving Brooks the opportunity to step into a role she had long hoped to pursue.

“When they had announced it and it opened up, I was very, very, very excited,” she said. “I jumped on it immediately because this is exactly what I wanted to do.”

Assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division, Brooks works closely with victims and families impacted by homicide, domestic violence, child abuse and assaults.

“I essentially bridge the gap between law enforcement and the victims and families because a lot of times the officers or detectives will have so many cases,” Brooks said.

Brooks often takes the lead in communicating with families, providing updates on investigations and helping explain the progress of cases and law enforcement procedures.

“It can be very confusing for everybody,” Brooks said.

Typically, victim advocates through prosecutors’ offices help guide families through the court system and act as liaisons during criminal proceedings. Brooks said her position adds another layer of support during the cases.

“I follow up with them pretty regularly to check in to make sure that if they are needing something, we can at least try to get them where they need to go,” she said.

Once a scene is deemed safe, Brooks often responds to assist victims and families, including meeting them at hospitals to provide support from the very beginning.

“I’m kind of there whenever they need me,” she said. “I don’t ever just completely cut contact with them just because they are in contact with, like, the commonwealth attorney advocate.”

The role can also be emotionally heavy at times, which is why Brooks makes a point to prioritize self-care outside of work.

“I’m not going to be effective for them, and I’m not going to be good at my job if I am taking on everything that they’re going through,” she said.

Outside of work, she decompresses with a mix of legal thrillers and time with her two dogs. Even so, department leaders say she is ready to help when needed.

“She’s amazing, and she’s able to offer that assistance to everybody,” Chief Guy Howie said. “The police social worker is catching on fire all across Kentucky.”

Chief Howie said Brooks is there in the most difficult moments, but also steps in for smaller, practical needs, including helping arrange donated supplies, like locks for a family whose child kept leaving the home.

“She’s been able to get referrals from patrol officers where she can go out and call and give them referrals for resources that are available,” he said.

The police advocate position is funded for 18 months, but Howie said the department could consider adding it to its budget to continue the role if it proves successful, something he said it already is.