Policy Text
Policy
318Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentVictim and Witness Assistance - 1Victim and Witness Assistance
318.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that crime victims and witnesses receive appropriate
assistance, that they are provided with information from government and private resources, and
that the agency meets all related legal mandates.
318.2 POLICY
The Garden Grove Police Department is committed to providing guidance and assistance to the
victims and witnesses of crime. The members of the Garden Grove Police Department will show
compassion and understanding for victims and witnesses and will make reasonable efforts to
provide the support and information identified in this policy.
The department will maintain an updated Resource Directory for Orange County on the GGPD
Intranet (Phone Listings) and Communications Center. In addition, employees are provided with
a variety of Resource Information Cards that can be used to provide immediate referral services
and assistance to the public. Victim/Witness rights are specified in Penal Code 679-680.
IT IS EACH EMPLOYEE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO UNDERSTAND, BE SENSITIVE TO, AND
UNDERSTAND THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF VICTIMS, ESPECIALLY THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENT
CRIME, AND TO UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS.
318.3 CRIME VICTIMS
Officers should provide all victims with the applicable victim information handouts.
Officers should never guarantee a victim’s safety from future harm but may make practical safety
suggestions to victims who express fear of future harm or retaliation. Officers should never
guarantee that a person qualifies as a victim for the purpose of compensation or restitution but
may direct him/her to the proper written department material or available victim resources.
318.3.1 VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Officers investigating or receiving a report involving a victim of human trafficking shall inform the
victim, or the victim’s parent or guardian if the victim is a minor, that upon the request of the victim
the names and images of the victim and his/her immediate family members may be withheld from
becoming a matter of public record until the conclusion of the investigation or prosecution (Penal
Code § 293).
318.4 VICTIM INFORMATION
The Administrative Services Bureau Supervisor shall ensure that victim information handouts are
available and current. These should include as appropriate:
(a)Shelters and other community resources for victims of domestic violence.
(b)Community resources for victims of sexual assault.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Victim and Witness Assistance
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentVictim and Witness Assistance - 2(c)Assurance that sexual assault victims will not incur out-of-pocket expenses for
forensic medical exams, and information about evidence collection, storage, and
preservation in sexual assault cases (34 USC § 10449; 34 USC § 20109; Penal Code
§ 13823.95(a)).
(d)An explanation that victims of sexual assault who seek a standardized medical
evidentiary examination shall not be required to participate or agree to participate in
the criminal justice system, either prior to the examination or at any other time (Penal
Code § 13823.95(b)).
(e)An advisement that a person who was arrested may be released on bond or some
other form of release and that the victim should not rely upon an arrest as a guarantee
of safety.
(f)A clear explanation of relevant court orders and how they can be obtained.
(g)Information regarding available compensation for qualifying victims of crime
(Government Code § 13962).
(h)VINE® information (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), including the
telephone number and whether this free service is available to allow victims to check
on an offender's custody status and to register for automatic notification when a person
is released from jail.
(i)Notice regarding U visa and T visa application processes.
(j)Resources available for victims of identity theft.
(k)A place for the officer's name, badge number, and any applicable case or incident
number.
(l)Provide a telephone number that the victim/witness may call to report additional
information about the case of to receive information about the status of the case. The
general information line for Investigations is 741-5800.
(m)The "Victims of Domestic Violence" card containing the names, phone numbers, or
local county hotlines of local shelters for battered women and rape victim counseling
centers within the county and their 24-hour counseling service telephone numbers
(Penal Code § 264.2).
(n)The rights of sexual assault victims card with the required information as provided in
Penal Code § 680.2.
(o)Any additional information required by state law (Penal Code § 13701; Penal Code §
679.02; Penal Code § 679.04; Penal Code § 679.05; Penal Code § 679.026).
318.4.1 VICTIM/WITNESS PROGRAMS
The Orange County Victim/Witness Assistance Program provides 24-hour services to crime
victims, particularly victims of sexual assault, incidents of domestic violence, and other serious
crimes. The Victim/Witness Assistance Program aids police employees who need the assistance
of trained intervention counselors when interviewing such victims. The program also assists
members of the criminal justice system by contacting the victims/witnesses and helping them
prepare for court appearances and to assist them during the follow-up stages of the investigation.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Victim and