NCJ Number
211298
Date Published
2003
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings and recommendations of a focus group convened by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (February 10-11, 2003) to consider the status of victims services provided by law enforcement agencies.
Abstract
The focus group--which was composed of law enforcement leaders, line officers, detectives, victim advocates, and victims themselves--identified two main areas that inhibit law enforcement agencies in providing effective services to victims: institutional forces and the lack of sufficient training and/or resources. Institutional forces that impede services to victims include a traditional philosophy or culture that gives low priority to victim services. Other impediments to victim services are the lack of specialized training in victim services in general and barriers posed by cultural and language differences between law enforcement officers and some crime victims. The focus group proposed having victims-services training in the police academy curriculum. Such training would be woven throughout all lesson plans. Distance-learning programs and inservice training would also include training in victim services. Agencies must also implement practical communication strategies required to enhance victim services. This should include ethical standards for translators and interpreters and training in first-responder use of translators. Another concern identified by the focus group was the identification of distinctive victim-service responsibilities at each level of law enforcement leadership. Victim-service responsibilities were distinguished according to the following leadership levels: chiefs/sheriffs, middle managers, first-line supervisors, line officers and detectives, field training officers and recruiting officers, and training and certification agencies. A section on the role of other players in the continuum of victim services focuses on prosecutors and community organizations.