05/30/2026
Members of our unit get asked a lot about what we do….
WHAT IS THE VICTIM SERVICES UNIT?
The Victim Services Unit are volunteers who are dedicated to help victims survive a crisis or crime against them. They are the “helping hands” of the police, fire, and medical personnel. They free up first responders to do their jobs without leaving the victim forgotten, excluded, or ignored. The objective is to avoid further victimization.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE VICTIM SERVICES UNIT?
The Victim Services Unit is designed to:
1. Provide short-term crisis intervention.
2. Assist victims and refer them to appropriate agencies to obtain further assistance.
3. Serve as a liaison for victims, survivors, families and first responders.
4. Aid and educate victims as to their rights, the Victims Compensation Board, and the judicial system.
5. Help when and where needed.
HOW WORKS?
Victim advocates are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The VSU advocates are paged by Delta County Dispatch responding to a request from the Sheriff’s Department or another first responder agency. Two advocates respond to any request for assistance.
The advocates respond to such calls as homicides, suicides, motor vehicle accidents, drownings, death notifications, fires, natural disasters, missing persons, SIDS, natural deaths, and other catastrophes as needed. They are not counselors and will not be involved in a long-term relationship.
In situations where there is a death, advocates must accompany officers to a residence. The officers will make the death notification and leave when appropriate. The advocates will remain with the family and help contact other family members, neighbors, friends, and clergy. The advocates may also make initial contact with the funeral home. The advocates remain with the family until an adequate support system is in place.
BENEFITS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT:
By having advocates present, officers will be freed up to continue with their investigation, perform follow-up, return to duty, or complete their reports. The Victim Services Unit program is designed to relieve some of the emotional stress from officers and provide emotional support for the families, survivors, and victims after a traumatic event.
Advocates’ tasks are to assist victims, not gather information or serve as witnesses. They are equipped with identification from the Delta County Sheriff’s Department and identifying apparel.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Confidentiality is required and strictly adhered to by all advocates. Information is shared with associate advocates only in the event they need to assume responsibility for a case or for training purposes. Victims are informed that the exception to this rule is if information heard will help the investigator on the case or if someone has threatened to harm themselves or others.
OUR COMMITMENT
Advocates are bound by policy and procedures developed by the Delta County Sheriff’s Office, however, respond to any law enforcement or emergency services agency in Delta County.
MOTIVATION
Victim Services volunteers are motivated by a true design to help people in a time of need. It is our goal to help others through difficult situations. We always strive to treat victims with dignity and compassion.
