2019 Lander Victim Witness Advocate

The purpose of this award, funded under the OVC FY 2019 Law Enforcement-Based Victim Specialist Program, is to develop or enhance crime victim specialist programs within law enforcement agencies to better support victims through the criminal justice process including connecting them with community-based direct victim services programs to more quickly and more effectively serve them. The City of Lander, Wyoming, will develop and implement a Victim Witness Advocate Program that will provide no-cost services to witnesses and those victims of crimes that have suffered harm; physical and emotional injury and suffering; economic loss; and/or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights through criminal acts. The City of Lander, is a small jurisdiction in central Wyoming with a population of about 7,503 (according to 2018 U.S. Census estimates). Currently, there are no Police Officers or City staff dedicated or trained on victim and witness services and very minimal services are provided. Lander Police Department will hire an employee who will perform Victim Witness duties 90 percent of the time. Ten percent of the employee’s time will be spent on National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) reporting and other clerical duties, which will be paid for entirely by City of Lander General Fund resources. Recognizing that the criminal justice system is as confusing and complex for misdemeanor victims as for felony victims and for subpoenaed witnesses, the Victim Witness Advocate program will be an integral part of helping victims and witnesses understand their rights, and navigate the criminal systems through the judicial system and after completion of the case, as necessary. CA/NCF