NCJ Number
182975
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 67 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2000 Pages: 14-24
Date Published
June 2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This is a summary of the 1999 IACP (International Chiefs of Police) Victims Summit report.
Abstract
The IACP’s 1999 Summit on Victims of Crime created a Law Enforcement Action Agenda with 14 recommendations intended to encourage officers and their departments to assume leadership positions in the justice system’s response to victims. Law enforcement is encouraged to: (1) formalize the victim assistance function organizationally; (2) train all first responders to provide “psychological first aid” to victims of crime; (3) develop written protocols to enable responding officers and investigators to treat crime victims; (4) partner with victim assistance professionals to ensure that crime victims receive prompt and effective support; (5) supply written information to all crime victims at the time of first contact; (6) designate individuals within each law enforcement agency whom victims may contact to obtain information; (7) develop written death notification policies and procedures and conduct complementary mandatory training; (8) establish mechanisms to ensure that crime victims and their families receive necessary assistance; (9) coordinate crime scene cleanup as soon as possible after an investigation is complete; (10) ensure that crime victims experience a smooth transition from investigation to prosecution; (11) systematically assemble victim feedback; (12) support officers who are dealing with their own stress and trauma; (13) cross-train law enforcement and victim assistance personnel; and (14) promote regular engagement among victims, advocates, community members and law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals.