Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE ACCREDITATION
Victim/Witness Assistance: Research CALEA 55.1.1.d, 55.1.2
PROPONENT UNIT PRIOR REVISIONS
Planning and Research Unit N/A
ATTACHMENT: 0
NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES
55.1 07/01/1998 07/23/2020 2
I. PURPOSE: This Order establishes a process to identify victim needs and the services
that are available to meet those needs.
II. POLICY: In fulfilling the requirements of FSS 960.001 (which is entitled the Victim
Assistance Act), the Gainesville Police Department will periodically conduct research to:
(1) determine the needs of victims and witnesses, and, (2) identify service agencies that
can provide assistance and resources to the victims and witnesses of crimes.
III. DEFINITION:
Victim: Victim includes any person or family member (such as that of a murder victim)
who has been physically, financially, or emotionally harmed as the result of a crime.
IV. PROCEDURE: [CALEA 55.1.2]
A. Report Content:
1. Needs Assessment: The Police Planner (Planning and Research Unit)
shall conduct research to determine the nature and extent of the needs of
victims and witnesses.
The research can be original, or the information about victim needs can be
collected from a valid secondary source.
2. Services: The Police Planner will identify local agencies that can provide
services to fulfill victim and witness needs. [CALEA 55.1.1.d]
i. The Police Planner will survey these agencies to determine what
services are available.
ii. The Police Planner will maintain channels of communication with
these agencies in an effort to ensure optimum Departmental
cooperation in the provision of victim/witness services.
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Scope: All Personnel\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
B. Reporting Requirements: [CALEA 55.1.2]
1. Compilation: The results of the needs analysis and the service agency
survey will be compiled into a report by the Police Planner.
The report will also describe the research methodology used to obtain the
results.
2. Submission: The report will be submitted to the Chief of Police.
3. Time Period: Analysis and research will be conducted once every two
years.
A report summarizing the analysis will be due by February of every even
numbered year.
4. Dissemination: The list of service providers will be made available to all
Departmental members who have contact with victims and witnesses.
The list of service providers (if different than any current list) should be
inserted into a revised Victim/Witness Information Brochure, or any other
information medium that will enable Department members to disseminate
assistance information to victims and witnesses.
________________________
By Order of
Signed Original on File in the
Accreditation Unit
________________________
Tony R. Jones
Chief of Police
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Scope: All Personnel