Publication Date: April 2009
Building Partnerships
Law Enforcement Agencies
The local police chief or sheriff may also take a leadership role by encouraging officers to refer victims to the Good Samaritans.
Community resource officers can guide Good Samaritans volunteers to specific community needs and draw additional volunteers from neighborhood watch organizations.
Some police departments and sheriff's offices employ victim service professionals who can work with Good Samaritans. Law enforcement agencies also may be willing to provide free criminal background checks for volunteers.
It is critical that law enforcement officers be keenly aware of the Good Samaritans program so that they can refer victims to its services. It is even more critical that law enforcement partners verify that a victim's home is secure and safe before volunteers are dispatched to assist a crime victim.
Because some law enforcement agencies may have high officer turnover, a continuing education program is essential to keeping officers aware of the Good Samaritans services. Good Samaritans volunteers regularly visit police precincts to present their program to officers at roll call and replenish the supply of Good Samaritans business cards.
Additionally, law enforcement agencies share police reports with volunteers so that they can follow up with crime victims.
