Policy Text
Policy
316San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentVictim and Witness Assistance - 1Victim and Witness Assistance
316.1 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.
316.2 POLICY
The San Luis Obispo Police Department is committed to providing guidance and assistance to
the victims and witnesses of crime. The members of the San Luis Obispo 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.
316.4 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.
316.4.1 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).
316.5 VICTIM INFORMATION
The Administration 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.
(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)).
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Victim and Witness Assistance
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentVictim and Witness Assistance - 2(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)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).
(m)The rights of sexual assault victims card with the required information as provided in
Penal Code § 680.2.
(n)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).
316.6 WITNESSES
Officers should never guarantee a witness’ safety from future harm or that his/her identity will
always remain confidential. Officers may make practical safety suggestions to witnesses who
express fear of future harm or retaliation.
Officers should investigate allegations of witness intimidation and take enforcement action when
lawful and reasonable.