The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Police Department
General Order 3-4.5 Victim Assistance
The purpose of this policy is to emphasize that an effective response to the needs of crime victims is an integral part of the law enforcement mission. This essential function, performed by both sworn and civilian personnel, should address victims needs by establishing a continuum of support as victims progress through the various phases of the criminal justice process. G.S. §15A-830 requires law enforcement agencies to comply with specific responsibilities. The UNCG Police Department is committed to complying with these responsibilities.

As first responders, law enforcement personnel are uniquely positioned to provide care and support to victims of crime as required by state and federal laws. These efforts can have both an immediate and a long-term impact on the victims emotional recovery by developing a sense of security and stability and potentially mitigating the traumatic effects of the crime. Therefore, it is the policy of the UNCG Police Department to (1) recognize and address the needs of crime victims by all employees during each contact; (2) support and assist the victims as they continue to interact with the criminal justice system; and (3) act as a liaison to appropriate victim assistance and service agencies.

In addition, the department will provide appropriate assistance to victims and witnesses who have been threatened or who express specific and credible reasons for fearing intimidation or further victimization.
  1. Definition

    Crime Victim – Generally, a person who has been physically and/or emotionally injured due to the occurrence of a crime. Victims include individuals who have been direct targets of violence or property loss or damage, their family members, and people who experience emotional trauma as a result of witnessing such an incident.
  2. Victim Needs

    Victims of crime experience a variety of physical, psychological and social needs, which can be classified under seven categories:
    • Safety – Protection from perpetrators and assistance in avoiding re-victimization
    • Support – Assistance to enable participation in the criminal justice system processes and repair of harm
    • Information – Concise and useful information about victims rights, criminal justice system processes, and available victim services
    • Access – Ability to participate in the justice system process and have ready availability to support services
    • Continuity – Consistency in approaches and methods across agencies through all stages of the criminal justice process
    • Voice – Opportunities to speak out and be heard on specific case processing issues and larger policy questions
    • Justice – Receiving the support necessary to heal and seeing that perpetrators are held accountable.
  3. Procedures and Responsibilities

    Communications

    Personnel shall treat individuals reporting a crime with compassion, patience, and respect as they collect the information necessary to determine the nature and location of the incident; the identity of the caller, victim, and perpetrator, if known; and the conditions that indicate the responding officers might be at risk of injury. Officers shall be dispatched to meet with the victim as soon as practical.

    Responding Officers

    Officers shall immediately ascertain that the victim(s) are at a safe location; render emergency first aid, if necessary; determine the need for and request additional medical and/or departmental resources; and once the incident is stable, develop a supportive presence by reassuring the victim(s) that she or he is no longer in immediate danger.

    Emotionally distraught victims should not be left alone. If appropriate, relatives, friends, or a community resource such as a victims assistance professional or member of the clergy should be contacted to provide comfort and support.

    While collecting information and physical evidence necessary for the investigation and subsequent prosecution, officers should be perceptive to and sensitive about the victims psychological state.

    At the earliest appropriate time, officers shall explain and provide the victim with the departments Victim Assistance Form to include the assigned case number. The officer will further advise the victim that identical information is available on the departments web page under the "Victim Assistance" link.

    At the conclusion of the initial investigation, the officer shall inform the victim that the report will be forwarded to the investigative section for determination of follow-up. Once a determination has been made on further investigation, the victim will receive a letter notifying them that their case has been placed in an inactive status, or the assigned detective will contact the victim and inform them that their case has been assigned for further investigation.

    The officer will strongly encourage the victim to contact the department immediately if they are threatened or intimidated by anyone because of reporting the crime, or if they learn of any new information regarding the case.

    The reporting officer shall document in his/her report that the victim was properly informed of the rights and available protections and was provided with information relating to referrals.

    Investigations

    Detectives assigned to conduct follow-up criminal investigations shall contact the victim in person or by telephone/email as soon as practical to determine whether the victim has new details concerning the case, and to relay information, when available and appropriate, relating to such matters as:
    • Arrest and detention of suspects and their pretrial release status;
    • Court restraining orders;
    • Court proceedings and schedules;
    • Status of stolen, recovered, or removed property; and
    • Possible eligibility for victim compensation.
    If the victim is in need of further assistance from sources outside of the department or requests additional services, the investigating officer shall make reasonable efforts to connect the victim with appropriate service provider agencies.

    In the event that an arrest is made, the investigating officer shall contact the victim as soon as practical to provide the following:
    • Information concerning the arrest;
    • The bail status of the suspect, or any change in this status;
    • An overview of the court process; and
    • A specific point of contact in the prosecutors office.
    The victim will be advised that if he or she is contacted by the suspect in any way or is threatened or intimidated by anyone, he or she should contact the department through dispatch immediately.

    Employees shall consider the method, manner, location, and timing of the victim interview, so as not to subject the victim to additional stress and trauma.
  4. Resources

    Department employees that have contact with the public in general and victims in particular shall be familiar with governmental and community-based victim support and advocacy organizations. Family Services of the Piedmont is a general clearinghouse for all community assistance programs.
    Family Services of the Piedmont
    Washington Street Building
    315 East Washington St.
    Greensboro, NC 27401
    336.387.6161 - Business Hours
    336.273.7273 - 24-Hour Crisis Line
    http://www.familyservice-piedmont.org
    It is the policy of the department to collaborate and provide reasonable assistance to community service agencies to the extent that it does not place the victim or others at risk, substantially interfere with an ongoing investigation or prosecution, or violate state privacy laws or departmental procedures.

    Department employees will be attentive to crime victims with special needs. Victims with physical, mental, or emotional impairments, as well as child and elderly victims will be attended to in a manner that best supports their life conditions and specific situations.

    Employees will also be sensitive to the cultural needs of crime victims by providing materials in a language that the victim can comprehend and ensuring access to translator services when appropriate. Cultural background can affect the manner in which crime victims respond and react to being victimized and how they are treated by family and community members. Employees should be aware of these special circumstances and work with the appropriate service providers and community partners to support victims in these situations.
  5. Training

    Department employees will complete training on providing assistance and services to victims of crime as part of their initial training program. All employees will also complete biennial in-service training. This shall include state and federal laws regarding victims and victims rights, internal policies relative to working with victims, effects of trauma on crime victims, communication skills, integrating the needs of victims into the investigation process, cultural awareness, familiarization with victim and social service providers, and how to contact and access these services.

    The Training and Development Unit will be responsible for appointing personnel to coordinate or conduct this training.
  6. Analysis

    The department will complete an analysis of victims' needs and services at least once every three years. The analysis will attempt to answer the following questions:
    • What are the needs of victims and other witnesses?
    • How are those needs being met by other government agencies and by community organizations?
    • What needs remain unfulfilled?
    • Of those, which ones are appropriate for the agency to meet?
    Answers to these questions should ultimately result in a list of victim/witness services that the department will provide without duplicating the efforts of other victim/witness services already available.