Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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4.6 Patrol Operations
4.6.17 Victim/Witness Assistance (Revised 6/1/17)
Victim/witness assistance program provides referral information that is made available to the
public 24 hours a day. This directive is to assist Department personnel in providing services to
victim/witnesses in the Campus c ommunity. The services go beyond the financial aspects of
victimization and deal with the emotional side of crime , including the feelings of isolation,
anger, fear and confusion . Crime victims ’ and witnesses' needs are not always adequately met.
These referrals provide immediate access , day or night, to assistance in the form of counseling,
companionship, transpor tation, food, shelter, clothing and other emergency needs . The prog ram
provides follow -up care for victims and witnesses by identifying and contacting agencie s and
resources that can help them with the emotional stress incurred by the loss of personal effects,
injury to self, family or friends, death or witnessing a crimi nal act.
A. The UCSF Police Department will treat victims and witnesses with fairness, dignity and
compassion. To ensure full support for victims, the UCSF Police Department follows the
guidelines stated in the Constitution of the State of Californ ia Victims’ Bill of Rights .
B. The UCSF Police Department will analyze victim/witness program assistance needs and
available services on a regular basis.
C. The Crime Prevention Section will review all police reports and UC system -wide annual
report s and crime statistics to chart crime trends and research resources for victims.
D. The Police Department maintains liaison with the District Attorn ey’s Victim Witness
Assistance o ffice, the Calif ornia State Attorney General’s o ffice and the California
Department of Justice to review victim/witness assistance studies and findings on needs
and available service on an annual basis.
E. The Department reviews these documents and makes recommenda tions appropriate to
related crime needs and issues.
F. The Crime Prevention Section will serve as the liaison to identify applicable government
and community resources for victims in need of immediate emergency assistance and
resources as a result of dom estic violence, workplace harassment, stalking, sex crime s,
child and elder abuse or other related crimes. Resources will include the “Marsy Rights”
card, referrals for counseling, emergency housing, temporary restraining orders, safety
information for vic tim and co -workers and contacts with governmental support programs ,
such as the District Attorney’s Victim Witness Assistance Program, Family Violence
Project and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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G. Police personnel shall provide a con tact person, telephone numbers and follow -up
information to all victims/witnesses where appropriate or by request of the
victim/witness.
H. The assigned officer is responsible for providing the victim/witness with a business card
referencing the police c ase number and a “Marsy Rights” card. Where appropriate, the
assigned officer shall provide assistance , such as basic information on victim assistance
programs, medical treatment, counseling, victim advocacy and information regarding the
subsequent steps i n the processing of the case. Police officers demeanor must reassure
and ensure calmness to victims and witnesses of crime in the processing of a case.
I. Any student, employee, affiliate, patient or visitor who reports being a victim of sexual
assault, dating violence, domestic violence and/or stalking, whether the incident occurred
on or off UC property, shall receive a written explanation of their options and rights, per
Federal Regulations 668.46 (b)(II)(vii). The assigned officer is responsible for providing
to such individuals a copy of UCSF’s “Rights, Options and Resources for Survivors of
Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence and Stalking.”
J. The officer assigned the case will serve as the primary contact for the victim/witness to
report additional information regarding their case unless otherwise assigned by the Watch
Commander . The victim/witness will be instructed to call the Police Department's ECC
(476-1414), 24 hours a day, to contact the appropriate unit/section for addition al
victim/witness services during the investigation process or to request information
regarding additional support services.
K. If additional services are needed or requested, the victim will be provided with
information regarding the Victim Witness Assis tance Program for support services (e.g .,
medical and funeral services, lost wages, transportation, victim/witness advocacy). By
request, the Crime Prevention Section will assist with the initial scheduling of
appointments with the Victim Witness Assistanc e Program and/or identification of
alternative referral services including ba sic UCSF -sponsored resources , such as the
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, Women’s Resource Center, UCSF Medical Center
Emergency Department, LPPI , Employee Health, Labor Rel ations, Legal Affairs and
Student Health Services. The Police Department’s services and telephone numbers are
available through the ECC to the victim on a 24 -hours -a-day basis.
L. A victim/witness will be provided with direction s on how to obtain a copy of the police
report. The officer will explain the confidentiality policies relevant to the criminal act and
the Department’s policy on confidentiality. The victim/witness will be provided with
information on the criminal justice system process.
M. The Police Department will publish information on crime prevention and victim/witness
assistance in the federally -mandated Annual Security Report (Clery Act), which is
University of California, San Francisco