Small Agency

Alliance Police Department, Nebraska

The Alliance Police Department realized a need for crisis volunteers for their community and officers. With no budget for such a program, the chief created a partnership with the ministerial alliance in the city to provide volunteers. Going one step further, the chief reached out to the IACP and CRITAC for assistance in training officers and volunteers. Today, the program in the city is staffed by volunteers who assist the community at no expense to the department's budget. 

CRITAC sponsored training was provided to all police staff and community members who volunteered to be on-call victim advocates. The department has also developed educational materials to help educate the public on victims' rights. The Alliance Police Department now has a team of VIP's who can be called upon to help victims. Based on the results of a community-wide survey, trust has increased 18% in one year due to the department's practices. 

Midsize Agency

Boulder Police Department, Colorado, and 20th Judicial District Attorney's Office of Colorado

In 2021, the city of boulder suffered a tremendous tragedy involving an active shooter. This event left the entire community reeling. That trauma continues to this day, and the victim advocates from both the Boulder Police Department (BPD) and the District Attorney's (D.A.) Office have worked daily since this incident to provide care for affected individuals. Because of the teamwork between the BPD and the D.A.'s Office, the victims' families had a support system in place within 24 hours of this mass casualty incident. Victims' advocates worked with community members to create the Boulder Strong center where anyone can go to get a variety of mental health services related to his incident. 

Large Agency

Fairfax County Police Department, Virginia

The Fairfax County Police Department Victim Services Division is a complex section managing sensitive and private data, while serving individuals within multiple jurisdictions. Their popular and successful model allows a more immediate response by specialists along with more long-term and regular contact between specialists and the victims and/or witnesses of crimes. 

As the largest county in the DC metropolitan area, the county's racial and ethnic composition is quite diverse. The Victim Services Division recognized the need to improve the quality of public services offered to those who have long suffered in silence from the effects of hate crime and discrimination. They recently obtained grant funding and established the Spanish Speaking Victim Services Specialist Unit. 

The team provides a vast array of comprehensive services to victims and witnesses of crime. Services include crises intervention, counseling referral, court accompaniment, referrals, transportation, property retrieval, housing assistance, help with obtaining protective orders, safety planning, help with funeral planning, help with victim impact statements, and criminal injury compensation requests. 

Midsize Agency 

Chattanooga Police Department 

The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) was awarded the Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims (ELERV) Grant. In partnership with the IACP and the Office of Victims of Crime (OVC), the multi-year grant effectively started the Victim Services Unit, which contributed to reductions in crime and increases in clearance rates. The CPD began a research relationship with partners at UT-Chattanooga and Southern Adventist University. The goal was to establish baselines, internally with officers and externally with victims/survivors, as well as the community at large. After conducting assessment interviews with community partners and surveying officers, crime victim/survivor groups, focus groups, and multiple other groups, the CPD was able to take the data, along with recommendations from the IACP and the OVC, to implement at the VSU. The VSU welcomes masters-level interns every school year to shape the next generation of law enforcement-based victim advocates. The staff of the VSU regularly engage in department-wide training on a myriad of topics as well as provide insight and overview for policy revisions at the CPD. 

Large Agency 

Korea National Police Agency 

Korea National Police Agency (KNPA) established a victim care system dedicated to protecting and supporting victims to meet their various needs. The victim care system includes Restorative Policing and the Evaluation System of Victimization, providing high-quality victim protection and support throughout the country. The KNPA created a Director for Victim Protection position, which is responsible for developing and implementing the Agency's integrated victim protection policy. Local police agencies introduced Section of Victim Protection to develop victim protection initiatives fit for each of the community's unique situations. The KNPA established this victim support system, applicable from central to local levels, providing high-quality service equally to every community within the nation. Within the victim care system, the KNPA established an evaluation system of victimization, which allows victims to speak for themselves actively during the criminal justice process. The KNPA established the Committee for Victim Protection, with participation by Police Director-Generals and external experts for policy development and implementation review. Victim protection and recovery became a core value in the paradigm shift of "people-centered and responsible police investigation" during the Korean criminal justice reform. 

Small Agency

The University of Texas at Arlington Police Department

College students who are victims of crime experience not only the complex aftermath of their traumatic experience but also have the added stress of navigating legal processes. Knowing some of the challenges victims face, the University of Texas at Arlington Police Department (UTAPD) Crime Victim Services (CVS) Unit has developed a unique, tailored approach to providing a wide-array of services to a wide-array of victims. Noted for its diverse student population that it serves, the CVS Unit has worked to be more actively engaged in community coalitions and tasks forces that focus on victim services. The CVS Unit has provided significant support and advocacy by implementing 24-hour on-scene response; accompanying victims to any meetings, appointments, and court proceedings; assisting victims in applying for benefits; and providing referrals for counseling and other mental health services. Since implementation, the CVS Unit has seen a 46% increase in the number of victims served. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the CVS Unit has continued to provide materials to its community and is committed to continuing to educate their student population on victims’ rights and services.  

Midsize Agency

Flagler County, Florida, Sheriff's Office

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) started its Domestic Violence Initiative in 2017 with the goal of building a sustainable and system-wide effort to employ best practices when dealing with matters of domestic violence. A cornerstone initiative was the GPS ankle monitoring program meant to track defendants who represent a significant and ongoing threat to victims. Beyond this initiative, the FCSO has designated one full-time detective to solely investigate and follow up on domestic violence cases, provided victim advocates to victims, and engaged in close collaboration with local agencies and organizations. 

Large Agency

Dubai Police, United Arab Emirates

Starting in 2016, the Dubai Police’s General Department of Human Rights has implemented the “You Are Not Alone” program, which has expanded their operations in human trafficking prevention and victims’ services to the most vulnerable women, children, and laborers in the United Arab Emirates. This initiative utilizes a diverse staff of law enforcement officers and other experts in human trafficking to implement security, legal, financial, social, and mental health services to help victims of human trafficking. The program has an innovative approach using technology and has created several smart apps and a 24/7 hotline for victims. Other components of the program include virtual trainings, collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, community education through cartoons and brochures, more child-friendly interviewing rooms, and MOUs with various partners throughout the criminal justice system to target human trafficking.

Midsize Agency

Saginaw, Michigan, Police Department 

In 2015, the Saginaw Police Department (SPD) pursued innovative approaches to address staffing issues while simultaneously promoting community strength and support. In order to lay a new foundation to build upon, the SPD began to update departmental policies and develop a strong mission, vision, and values statement. Initial phases of implementing a victim-centered, trauma-focused, Victim Services Unit began. The organizational philosophy of the Saginaw Police Department was beginning to evolve, focusing on victim services and the importance of utilizing effective community partnerships. With the implementation and expansion of the Victim Services Unit, the SPD conducted department-wide training, developed community outreach and awareness programs, developed strong working relationships with various community agencies, and engaged in positive interactions with victims. 

Large Agency

Ajman Police General Headquarters, United Arab Emirates

In 2011, the Ajman Police established the Social Support and Victim Service Program. The program was established as a response to the emergence of serious crimes violating human rights, especially regarding victims of crimes such as women, children, families, and victims of human trafficking. The Social Support and Victim Service Program features rapid communication channels between the victim and police. Buildings are designated as safe areas for victims to report incidents and crime cases. Diverse employees are trained and qualified in providing victim care services, classifying cases so that resources are allocated and dispensed appropriately, and conducting home visits to better understand victims’ needs. Since its establishment in 2011, the community’s trust in police has increased from 85.6% to 96.8% and the sense of security has increased from 85.3% to 97.8%.

​Small Agency

Shakopee, Minnesota, Police Department

Shakopee Police Department, located in Scott County in southeastern Minnesota, has been working to enhance victim services for decades, as illustrated by their longstanding partnership with the local domestic violence program, Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women (SVABW). Three years ago, Shakopee’s Police Chief developed a Victim Services Coordinator (VSC) position fully funded by the city to meet the needs of victims. Since then, the VSC has shifted a lack of awareness of crime victims to a culture of increased awareness, involvement, and compassion. The VSC puts victims in touch with 122 different service providers, while keeping them updated on their case and helping them to execute their rights. This has allowed the department to reach people who normally would not come forward and has improved the quality of care for victims.

Midsize Agency

Colorado State Patrol

Colorado State Patrol (CSP) established their Victims Assistance Unit (VAU) in 1991 to provide services to those who suffer from unexpected and violent traffic incidents, including non-Colorado residents visiting the state. The VAU supports victims with on-scene crisis intervention coordinates the return of personal belongings, care for injured pets, lodging for uninjured passengers, transportation for out-of-state family members; and provides many other important services. Additionally, the VAU focuses its attention on serving the needs of victims of human smuggling and trafficking. Working in close partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, funeral homes, counselors, psychologists, social workers, consulates, and several others, the CSP has created an adaptable model for law enforcement agencies.

Large Agency

New York, New York, Police Department

New York Police Department’s (NYPD) Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP), which began in September 2016, is a joint effort between the NYPD and the non-profit organization, Safe Horizon. CVAP places crime victim and domestic violence advocates directly in police precincts throughout New York City to provide victims with a wide array of assistance. The advocates’ primary roles are to help victims navigate the criminal justice process, engage in proactive safety planning, and facilitate access to a range of resources. The CVAP also expands the number of individuals served, while establishing a continuum of care for victims. Placing advocates in every precinct in New York City is a tremendous undertaking, which demonstrates a firm commitment to victim services.

Small Agency

Virginia Commonwealth University Police

In August 2016, the Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department (VCUPD), in Richmond, Virginia, implemented the “You Have Options” (YHOP) program. VCU Police recognized the need for a victim-centered, offender-focused response to sexual violence that occurred on campus. VCUPD encourages victims of sexual assaults to report to law enforcement and offers various reporting options, including an online reporting portal. To date, YHOP has been implemented by six local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. VCUPD was the first campus law enforcement agency to navigate Title IX requirements and Clery Act obligations while providing the elements of YHOP to the campus community.

VCU Police officers and staff received training on the complexities of sexual violence, comprehensive victim response and the YHOP program. With the addition of the YHOP program, sexual assault reporting to VCUPD has significantly increased. In the 2016-2017 academic year there has been a 51% increase in the number of sexual assaults reported to the department compared to the previous academic year. This increase more accurately reflects sexual violence on campus and demonstrates a greater trust in the department and the victim-centered program.  

In the spring of 2017, 96.3% of students, faculty, and staff surveyed reported feeling "safe" or "very safe" on VCU's campuses. One participant in the survey noted that they were recently the victim of harassment. This individual stated that VCU Police went above and beyond their normal duties to solve the issue, which in turn enhanced their feeling of safety on campus. Others who completed the survey recognized that the programs and resources provided by VCUPD helped them become more aware of the assistance offered to those who feel unsafe or victimized. 

VCU Police created a channel for victims of sexual assault to access justice in a way that is right for them at a pace with which they are comfortable. There is no doubt sworn campus law enforcement agencies will look to VCUPD as an example of how to utilize best practices in responding to sexual assault cases. 

Large Agency

Vancouver Police Department, British Columbia, Canada

The Vancouver Police Department Victim Services Unit (VSU) has been an integral part of the Department since its inception in 1984. At that time volunteers mainly supported the victims. In 2004, due to the ever-increasing complexity of victim service work, the VSU underwent a significant reorganization and is now entirely comprised of specialized employees who work with victims and witnesses. All the staff hold degrees in the social sciences and have considerable experience in crisis intervention and trauma informed practices.

The VSU is constantly exploring innovative ways of reaching out to serve the many diverse population groups within Vancouver. As a result, the VSU has earned the reputation locally, nationally and internationally as a leader in the victim services field and has become a role model for many agencies.

One example of their innovative approach was that in 2016, a trained intervention trauma dog was introduced to the program. The Handler and IK-9 team has proven to be a huge success in aiding victims and witnesses to cope with the stress related to critical incidents. The IK-9 Team also attends court during testimony of vulnerable clients like children, acting as a calm presence to help alleviate an extremely difficult time for them.

In 2017 the Vancouver Police added a Civilian Intervention Stress Management Team, which is designed to assist VPD employees who may suffer from exposure to critical incidents or to viewing traumatic materials. The two co-coordinators of the program are VSU staff members and another caseworker is also on this peer support team.

The VSU actively participate in and play an integral role in developing comprehensive victim services networks, in order to assist victims, not only within the complex framework of their own agency but also regionally and throughout Canada. One way this is accomplished is through a referral system that ensures that victims that are victimized in one area can receive services in their own jurisdictions. The VSU also regularly meets with other police-based victim services to forge bonds in order to support multi-jurisdictional clients.

A vital component the VSU provides for the Department is the  accessibility of service through the Unit’s 24/7 response team to police emergencies in order to assess and stabilize victims on scene.  The many Specialty Units within Vancouver PD also are confident that victims and witnesses of serious crimes such as homicides and sexual assaults will be assisted without comprising their investigations.

As an independent Research group has concluded, the VSU consistently demonstrates that they have had a positive impact on the citizens and businesses in Vancouver they are employed to serve.