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Building Law Enforcement-Victim Service Relationships Training

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Victim advocates and law enforcement officers play a critical role in establishing and maintaining victim engagement and cooperation throughout the criminal justice process. Law enforcement officers are usually the first responders to a crime scene but may not have the resources and specialized knowledge needed to serve victims in the aftermath of their victimization. Furthermore, victims are often unaware of the services available to them, which results in a gap between the services victims need and the services they receive. By building strategic partnerships between victim advocates and law enforcement, victims gain access to critical services and resources that ultimately facilitate stronger investigations, opportunities for victims to heal, and a reduction in local crime
rates.

This training outlines practical steps in which we can build relationships between victim advocates and law enforcement so that they may better serve victims in various situations, including cold cases, domestic violence, sexual assault, child victims, and others.

Goal and Objectives:

• Facilitate the strengthening of relationships between victims and law enforcement.
• Educate victim advocates and members of law enforcement on ways to forge effective relationships.
• Provide law enforcement and victim advocates with a practical toolkit explaining how to respond and interact with victims of various crimes.

Intended Audience:

Federal, state, and local law enforcement.

TTA Format: Available in person and virtually.
Length:

This training can span one or two days depending on the option selected.

SMEs/Trainers:

Mark Kurkowski is a 25-year veteran of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. For 21 years, Kurkowski investigated incidents of intimate partner violence, stalking, and sexual assault while assigned to the Domestic Abuse Response Team, the Grants to Encourage Arrest Program, and the St. Louis Regional Domestic Violence Prevention Team. He has nine years of experience as an investigator and supervisor on the Greater St. Louis Major Case Squad, a multijurisdictional investigative unit focused on homicide investigations. Additional trainers are available and can be identified based on the needs of the PSN site.