Incorporating Interns and Volunteers into Victim Services Unit Responsibilities

Notes

Law Enforcement-Based Victim Services 2025 Webinar Series

Learn about other webinars in the Law-Enforcement-Based Victim Services Webinar Series.

Presenters

Amy Durall, Office for Victims of Crime Fellow 

Amy Durall is currently a Fellow with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). The fellowship centers on law enforcement response to victims and law enforcement-based victim services. 

Prior to joining OVC, Amy served as a Senior Project Manager with the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Her portfolio included contributions to the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Victims, Law Enforcement-Based Victim Services, Documenting and Advancing Promising Practices in Law Enforcement Victim Support, and Research and Evaluation of Victims of Crime. 

Amy has served as a Victim Services Director for two separate law enforcement agencies with both agencies receiving national recognition for victim services during her tenure. She has also served on local and national committees focused on multidisciplinary and collaborative response to victims. To augment this direct practice experience, Amy founded Integrity Institute LLC to advance the prioritized focus on the rights, responses, and resources for individuals impacted by crime and crisis circumstances. She has served as a consultant on projects aimed at criminal justice system intersections and enhanced victim response and as a key member of assessment teams for law enforcement agencies exploring response to violent crime and engagement of crime victims with the justice system.

Amy has enjoyed over 35 years of social service experience with a variety of populations to include: youths and adults with developmental, emotional, and cognitive disorders, adults with mental health disorders, incarcerated adults, protective services for children and adults, and those who have experienced physical violence, sexual violence, criminal victimization, and crisis circumstances. Amy holds a master’s degree in Psychology and was accepted into the Psi Chi Honor Society. She has received specialized certification in the instruction of Victimology, Grantsmanship Essentials, and Crisis Intervention Training and routinely provides consultation and training to law enforcement personnel, community service organizations, and allied partners of multiple disciplines.

Paula Hlade

Paula Hlade has worked for the Reno Police Department for over seven years in the Victim Services Unit (VSU) overseeing the volunteer/intern program as well as managing data for multiple grants, conducting outreach, and supporting staff advocates in their work with victims. Prior to coming to VSU, she volunteered for over seven years with the local chapter of Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) responding to small and large-scale crises by providing support and emotional first aid to survivors.

Paula attended the University of Nevada, Reno and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in criminal justice in 2005, and obtained her master’s degree in criminal justice in 2008.

She has experience working in various aspects of the Mental Health and Justice Systems including substance use treatment, the courts and law offices, and detention facilities. She is also a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and LADC Supervisor having worked in the counseling field for over 15 years and currently works part-time for her licensing board.

Brie Bertges 

Brie Bertges joined the Victim Services Unit in September 2009 after relocating to Reno, Nevada. In 2018, Brie was selected as the Victim Services Supervisor. Before joining the Victim Services Unit, she worked as a crisis mental health therapist and a program director for a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and encouraging at-risk youth. Brie is a licensed therapist and practiced therapy with children, adolescents, and their families for six years prior to joining RPD. She is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) in the state of Nevada and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).

Brie has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois in Psychology and an advanced degree in Clinical-Counseling Psychology from Illinois State University.