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Date: 03/09/92 Revision: 02/23/23 Reviewed: 06/04/25 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCED URE Number: GEN 563.00 Page: 1 of 7 SUBJECT: VICTIM /WITNESS ASSISTANCE I. PUR POSE: The intent of this procedure is to fa cilitate assistance for victims/ witnesses through established service providers via a Victim Specialist . However, when applicable, the Sheriff's Office shall administer any ass istance necessar y without duplicati ng services. II. DISCUSSION : Florida Statute, Chapter 960 , establishes the r ights of victims of crimes. In addition to these statutory rights, the Sheriff's Office recognizes the importance of treating victims and witn esses with fairn ess, compassion, an d dignity. Therefore, the Sheriff’s Office is committed to the development, implementation, and continuation of appropriate victim/witness assistance programs. * III. DEFINITION S: A. Victim - any person who suffers d irect or threate ned p hysical, psycho logical, or financial harm as a result of the commission or attempted commiss ion of a crime or delinquent act or against whom the crime or delinquent act is committed. The term “victim ” includes the following: 1. The victim ’s lawful repre sentative , 2. The parent or gua rdian of a minor , or 3. The next of kin of a homicide victim, except upon a showing that the interest of such individual would be in actual or potential conflict with the interests of the victim. B. Victim Speciali st - A civilian emp loyee trained to provide assistanc e and support services to victims and witnes ses of serious crime. C. Victim Specialist Progr am - The Sheriff’s Office will provide services (24 hours a day) to victims and witnesse s through the agency’ s Victim Specialist Program , which is part of the B ehavioral Resources Unit (BRU) . D. Victim Speci alist Trainee - A civilian employee that has not completed the Victim Services Practitioner Designation Course taught by staff of the Flori da Crime P revent ion Training Institu te of the Office of the Attorney General for the state of Florida and at least one (1) full year of experience with the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office Victim Specialist Program . * IV. ADMINISTRATION AND COO RDINATION : The Behavi oral Resources Unit Victim Specialist Supervisor , or designee , shall have the responsibility for administering and coordinating the Sheriff's Office Victim Specialist Pro gram . They shall maintain liaison with oth er governmental and non -governmental agencie s which provide vict im/witness services to maintain effective communication channels. A. The purp ose for liaison with victim/witness assistance providers is to obtain: 1. Informat ion to show that Sheriff's Offi ce referrals are based on accurate knowledge of services offered . 2. Recommendations to improve the Sheriff’s Office response to victims/witnesses. GEN 563.00 02/23/23 Page 2 of 7 3. Recommendations for improvement of victim/witnes s services. * B. The BRU Victim Specialist or Victim Spe cialist Supervisor , or designee , shall regul arly attend any meet ings with county victim/witness assistance providers. * C. The BRU Victim Spe cialist Supervisor , or designee , shall com plete an analysis of victim/witness assistance needs and available services at least once a year. The findings are to be compil ed in an annual report due in the first quarter of t he calendar year. The report will reference the previous year ’s activities, which is to include, but not be limited to: 1. The extent of major types of victimization within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Office. 2. An inventory of information and service needs of victims/witnesses , in general , and special vic tims, such as tho se victimized by domestic violence, abuse, and neglect. 3. Victim assistance and related community services availabl e to persons victimi zed. 4. Identification of all unfulfilled needs and the selection of those that are appropriate for the Sheriff’s Office to me et. 5. Or, this analy sis may be obtained from other organizations that can provide the necessary data ( State At torney’s Office ( SAO), victim advocate). * V. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES : The BRU Victim Specialist Supervisor , or designee , shall be respon sible for setting the goal s and objectives relating to the Sheriff’s Office Victim Specialist Program as part of his/her annual goals and o bjectives submitted in accordanc e with Sheriff's Office policy. The results of the se rvice analysi s should be t he basis for these goals and objectives . VI. TRAINING /EDUCATION : All members shall receive training in victim/witness assis tance as follows: A. The Victim Specialist shall receive an orientation addressing existing She riff's O ffice and community victim /witness assistance programs that service the community. Re-orientation shall be conducted at least once every two years for all civilian membe rs. B