Louisville Metro Police Department Victim Services Specialist

The purpose of this award, funded under the OVC FY 2019 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program, is to develop or enhance and sustain crime victim specialist programs within law enforcement agencies and better coordinate services to victims to more quickly and more effectively serve the victim assistance and compensation needs of all crime victims and inform them of their rights as crime victims.

Under this project, the Louisville Metro Police Department Victim Services Squad will be expanded to better serve victims. The squad was established in 2016, with one Victim Services Specialist. The squad’s mission is to positively impact the quality of life for the citizens of Jefferson County by assisting victims and witnesses of crime. In 2018, there were 5,416 cases and the existing Coordinator of the Victim Services Squad/Victim Services Specialist worked 745 cases, but there was an unmet demand for advocacy and support services for the remaining victims. With this funding, crime victims within Jefferson County will be provided with support and advocacy services during the investigative process. CA/NCF