Gaston County Sheriff's Office LE Based Victim Specialist

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 Gaston County Sheriff’s Office will hire two qualified Crisis Response Specialists to provide around-the-clock service and aid to victims and support to law enforcement with a special focus on communities residing in nine Qualified Opportunity Zone census tracts. Crisis Response Specialists, the Gaston County Sheriff’s Department, and collaborating partners will provide enhanced services resulting in increased community safety and security, increased knowledge of victim services and the criminal justice system, increased cooperation with investigations leading to prosecutions, and a decrease in recidivism in these communities. CA/NCF