Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims (ELERV)
The Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims (ELERV) Strategy introduces federal, state, local, campus, and tribal law enforcement leaders to the concepts and benefits of enhancing their response to victims of all crimes. It also illustrates how every person in a law enforcement agency has a role in effective victim response. Due to the customizable nature of the ELERV Strategy, agencies can easily start small and build on their efforts over time.
Implementing the ELERV Strategy can lead to broader community-wide trust and confidence in the police, foster the healing process for victims, increase victim participation, and produce stronger, more comprehensive cases to hold offenders accountable.
The ELERV Strategy’s overall goal is to create an agency-wide philosophical shift, focusing on identifying and responding to victims’ needs. The ELERV Strategy introduces federal, state, local, campus, and tribal law enforcement leaders to the concepts and benefits of enhancing their response to victims of all crimes. Due to its customizable nature, agencies can easily start small and build on their efforts over time. Advancements in any area of the ELERV Strategy can drastically enhance an agency’s overall response to victims.
Getting the Most Out of ELERV Transcript |
Quick Hits
Access the ELERV Strategy video series on IACPlearn here.
Access the IACP Conference 2020 workshop “Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims - Using the ELERV Strategy to Build Bridges in Communities” on IACPlearn here.
Access the "Critical Language Access Needs of Victims" Webinar in IACPLearn here and download the accompanying resource here.
Introduction to ELERV
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Download the ELERV Overview in Arabic, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Resources
- IACP Resources (PDF)
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External Resources (PDF)
Templates - These templates are intended to provide sample language and content. These templates should be customized to fit agency needs and should be carefully reviewed to ensure information is consistent with requirements within the agency and local jurisdiction.
Leadership
Building a victim-centered organization is a top-down effort that requires a clear vision of the future. Implementing the ELERV Strategy will require some organizations to make only minor changes to existing practices, while others may need to shift their overall approach to meeting the needs of victims. Achieving lasting change starts and ends with the expressed and modeled values of agency leadership.
Leadership OverviewThis single-page document highlights important information from this section of the ELERV Strategy. The quick read format makes it perfect for roll-call training and meetings alike. |
Leadership |
Download the ELERV Leadership Overview in Arabic, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Materials from Leadership
Resources
Samples
- Mission, Vision, and Values Statements (PDF)
- ELERV Steering Committee Roster (PDF)
- ELERV Implementation Plan (PDF)
Templates - These templates are intended to provide sample language and content. These templates should be customized to fit agency needs and should be carefully reviewed to ensure information is consistent with requirements within the agency and local jurisdiction.
- ELERV Press Release (Word)
Worksheets
- ELERV SMART Goal Worksheet (Word)
- ELERV Action Plan Worksheet (Word)
Partnering
Victims are best served when law enforcement agencies have strong internal partnerships across disciplines and work closely with external community organizations. Partnerships allow agencies to maximize their ability to serve victims by establishing coordinated internal response practices and referring victims to community organizations that offer long-term support and services.
![]() Partnering OverviewThis single-page document highlights important information from this section of the ELERV Strategy. The quick read format makes it perfect for roll-call training and meetings alike.
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PartneringThis document contains detailed information about the thought processes behind the ELERV Strategy as well as concrete implementation steps, tips and examples from the demonstration site teams, and links to tools, resources, and customizable templates. |
Download the ELERV Partnering Overview in Arabic, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Materials from Partnering
Resources
- Roles and Opportunities—Internal Partnerships (PDF)
- Roles and Opportunities—External Partnerships (PDF)
Samples
- Partnership Agreement Framework and Sample Language (PDF)
- Internal Partnership Protocol—Victim/ Witness Interviews (Word)
Templates - These templates are intended to provide sample language and content. These templates should be customized to fit agency needs and should be carefully reviewed to ensure information is consistent with requirements within the agency and local jurisdiction.
Training
The value of training for sworn and professional staff on victim response topics cannot be overstated. Research and best practices for serving victims are constantly evolving, so training that reflects the most recent information is critical. Prioritizing cross-training opportunities (both internal and external) is encouraged.
![]() Training OverviewThis single-page document highlights important information from this section of the ELERV Strategy. The quick read format makes it perfect for roll-call training and meetings alike. |
TrainingThis document contains detailed information about the thought processes behind the ELERV Strategy as well as concrete implementation steps, tips and examples from the demonstration site teams, and links to tools, resources, and customizable templates. |
Download the ELERV Training Overview in Arabic, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Materials from Training
Samples
Templates - These templates are intended to provide sample language and content. These templates should be customized to fit agency needs and should be carefully reviewed to ensure information is consistent with requirements within the agency and local jurisdiction.
- Victim Response Training Templates (PowerPoint, Word)
Performance Monitoring
Measuring the progress of new initiatives is vital in their implementation. Ensuring the agency is strategically capturing data and monitoring both internal and external performance measures can help build a roadmap to implementation, identify gaps, and provide opportunities for improvement to best meet the needs of those served.
![]() Performance Monitoring OverviewThis single-page document highlights important information from this section of the ELERV Strategy. The quick read format makes it perfect for roll-call training and meetings alike. |
Performance MonitoringThis document contains detailed information about the thought processes behind the ELERV Strategy as well as concrete implementation steps, tips and examples from the demonstration site teams, and links to tools, resources, and customizable templates. |
Download the ELERV Performance Monitoring Overview in Arabic, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Materials from Performance Monitoring
Resources
- Strengths and Considerations for Key Methods of Data Collection (PDF)
- Documents and Records Useful for Data Collection (PDF)
- Sample Hiring, Promotional, and Performance Appraisal Questions (PDF)
Templates - These templates are intended to provide sample language and content. These templates should be customized to fit agency needs and should be carefully reviewed to ensure information is consistent with requirements within the agency and local jurisdiction.
Worksheets
Contact Information
For more information and technical assistance, please contact the project team at ELERV@theiacp.org
This Web site is funded in part through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this Web site (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided.
Original Strategy
All original ELERV Strategy documents can be found here.