THE NEED FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND BETWEEN THE COMPONENTS OF THAT SYSTEM AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IS NOTED. THE EXTENT TO WHICH POLICE OFFICERS ARE INVOLVED IN DEALING WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND NEEDS IS POINTED OUT. THE LACK OF COOPERATION BETWEEN POLICE AND SOCIAL WORKERS IS CITED, AS IS THE NEED TO DEAL WITH THE REAL SOURCE OF MOST PROBLEMS WITH DELINQUENT YOUTHS: WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR HOMES. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COOPERATIVE TEAM RELATIONSHIP, WITH SOCIAL WORKERS AVAILABLE WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ITSELF, IS SUGGESTED. SUCH AN APPROACH COULD ELIMINATE COMMUNICATION GAPS BETWEEN SOCIAL WORKERS AND POLICE, THUS HELPING TO EXPAND PROTECTION AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT IN WHEATON AND NILES, ILL., THAT EMPLOYED THE SOCIAL WORKER-POLICE OFFICER TEAM CONCEPT IS NOTED. (LKM)