Policy Text
San Francisco Police Department 6.19
GENERAL ORDER 11/04/20
Victim of Violent Crime Notification
6.19.01 PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to coordinate and administer the Victim of Violent Crime Act
(Cal. Govt. Code 13959 et. seq.), and establish procedures for the notification of victims
and the processing of forms.
6.19.02 POLICY
A.COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATION. The San Francisco Police
Department coordinates a program with the District Attorney's Office Victim
Services Division (VSD) to administer the Victim of Violent Crime Act in San
Francisco. The Police Department is responsible for notification and referrals, and
the Victim Services Division is responsible for the administration of services.
B.VICTIM SERVICES. District Attorney's Office Victim Services Division
(VSD) provides assistance with and/or referrals to:
•Crisis support services and counseling
•Guidance in navigating the criminal justice system and providing case
information
•Emergency assistance: relocation, transportation and safety planning
•Referral to local resources and services- employment, medical/dental,
mental health, housing and childcare
•Funeral and Burial expenses
Victims may also be eligible for Victims of Crime Compensation to help pay for
expenses including:
•Medical and dental treatment
•Mental health services
•Income loss
•Home security
•Relocation
The Victim Services Division does not reimburse for lost or stolen cash or property,
property damage or loss due to fraud.
C. POSTING OF NOTICES. Every police facility open to the public shall
prominently display in public view a sign(s) giving notification of the Victim of
Violent Crime Act, contact information for the Victim Services Division and that
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Crime Victim Compensation Forms are available in numerous languages
including Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, and Spanish at the
California Victim Compensation Board website at:
https://victims.ca.gov/victims/howtoapply.aspx.
The facility shall also have a supply of required Application for Crime Victim
Compensation forms provided by the California Victims Compensation Board
(form VCGCB-VCP-005 Rev. 10/2017) for distribution to any person wishing
to file for compensation.
6.19.03 PROCEDURES
A. DUTIES OF MEMBERS. Members assist victims of violent crimes by
providing them a Crime Notification Form (SFPD 369) as part of the Victim
Services Division.
B. NOTIFICATION. When conducting a preliminary investigation of crimes
relating to the following categories: violent crime, personal injury or death,
members are to follow these procedures:
1.Give the victim or their family a Victim of Crime Notification form (SFPD
369) and explain the scope of the program.
2.The Victim of Crime Notification Forms are available in English, Spanish,
Chinese, Tagalog and Russian.
3.All written forms and notices shall be provided to victim(s) in their preferred
language when available. Instances where the forms are not available in the
LEP individual's preferred language or a case of illiteracy, members shall
revert to practices outlined in DUO 5.20 Language Access Services for
Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons.
4.If an LEP victim requires a translated version of Form 369 in their preferred
language, members shall contact the Department's Language Access liaison to
facilitate with this request.
5.Instances where an incident report is prepared regarding an incident involving
an LEP individual, it shall identify their preferred language; identify the
means of interpretation; the manner in which interpretation services were
provided in compliance with DGO 5.20.
6.Check the "Victim of Crime Notification" box on the incident report to signify
the Form 369 was provided. If you are unable to furnish the victim or their
family with the notification, state in the narrative of the incident report the
reason the notification was not made.
C. DUTIES OF INVESTIGATORS. Sergeants and Inspectors assigned to
investigate a violent crime should remind the victim and/or victim's family of the
resources available through the Victim Services Division and note referral in the
chronological or record of investigation.
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1. Any change or update in a victim's contact information on an assigned
investigation should be relayed to the Victim Services Division and noted in
the chronological or record of investigation.
References:
DUO 6.09, Domestic Violence
DGO 5.20 Language Access Services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons
Domestic Violence Referral Card (SFPD 142)
Victim of Crime Notification form (SFPD 369) attached
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Victims of Crime
The San Francisco Victim /Witness Assistance Program is a
Special project to assist victims of crime in many ways by
providing:
•Assistance and emotional support.
•Referral services. (If V/WAP cannot provide the aid
you need, it can put you in touch with those who can.)
•Help to eligible victims in applying to the State
Victims' Compensation Fund if you are a
California resident and as a direct result of a crime
of violence:
- You have been physically injured (including
domestic violence or sexual assault).
- You lost wages or income due to time off work.
- Someone you have been legally dependent
upon for support has been physically injured
or died.
- You have legally assumed or voluntarily
paid the medical or burial expenses of the person
who has been physically injured or died.
SFPD 369 (Rev. 09/19