Victim Services

Overview

The Parker Police Department is dedicated to providing the highest quality of services available to victims of crime and tragedy. The Victim Services Unit at the Parker Police Department is available 24 hours, 7 days a week, and provides direct services to victims, their families or designees. The Victim Services Unit ensures that all reasonable efforts are made to inform victims of their rights, appropriate support services, information and advocacy. These services include, but are not limited to, short-term crisis intervention, follow up contact, and referrals/information to other criminal justice agencies and/or community agencies.

Amendment Passed

In 1992 Colorado passed a state constitutional amendment that provides rights to victims of certain crimes. The Victim Rights Act became effective in January, 1993, at which time the Parker Police Department established their Victim Services Program. The Victim Rights Act provides victims an active role in the criminal justice process in an attempt to balance the scales of justice.

The Parker Police Department is committed to the development, implementation and continuation of appropriate victim and witness services programs and activities and will treat all victims and witnesses with fairness, compassion and dignity. Parker Police Department members and volunteers will work to ensure victims understand their rights provided in Colorado Revised Statutes. - (C.R.S. 24-4.1-302.5)

If you are a victim of a crime, it is your right to be informed and to participate in all critical stages of the criminal justice process. For more information regarding victim rights and services that you may be entitled to, please see The Rights of Victims of Crime.

Services Provided

• Community resources information and other information that will aid in the emotional and financial recovery of the victim
• Crisis Intervention and short term support Victim Rights Brochure
• Educating the victim about restitution or civil remedies
• Educating the victim about the criminal justice system
• Helping to expedite the release of property after the case is settled and is no longer needed as evidence
• Informed of all charges filed, case number and investigator assigned to the case
• Informed of victim notification information
• Informing the victim about what steps to be taken if the victim is subjected to intimidation or harassment
• Treated with fairness, dignity and respect

If you feel your rights as a victim have not been met, you may request assistance from the Colorado Office for Victims Programs or 303-239-5719.

VINE

If the suspect in your case has been arrested, or will be arrested, please be aware that victims of certain crimes are automatically notified of custody status through the VINE system. Victims have chosen or are automatically assigned a PIN#. If you do not know your PIN# please contact the Parker Police Department’s Victim Services Unit at 303-805-6601 to obtain that information. Victims may opt-out or modify their registration online at VINE, or by calling 888.263.8463.

Please note that you must re-enroll in the notification program each time the defendant has been arrested, even if you have previously registered for a prior arrest.

Request a police report

Reports may be requested between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Learn about more information on requesting a police report online.

Victim Compensation

If you are a victim of a crime, you may be eligible for Victim Compensation. For more information please visit their website online. You may also contact a victim advocate at the Parker Police Department at 303.805.6601.

Victim Resources

• Domestic Violence Emergency Shelters and Resources
• Sex Assault Resources
• Grief Support
• Children and Teen Resources
• Douglas County Phone Numbers
• Douglas County Child Protective Services

Volunteer

The Victim Services Program is always looking for volunteers. Volunteers selected to participate in this program will receive training free of charge. To volunteer for this program, you must:

• Be 21 years of age
• Be able to handle stressful situations well
• Have good communications skills
• Pass a background investigation and polygraph examination

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call 303.805.6601 or apply online.