This document is a compilation of templates to be used as a starting guide for law enforcement agencies and their jurisdictions in establishing or improving direct services for crime victims.
The templates are a guide and stimulation for developing or assessing policies and standards for law enforcement agencies of various sizes that are serving a variety of demographic populations in regions across the United States. Terms used in the templates were developed from a review of documents provided by victim services programs of multiple law enforcement agencies. The first of four templates provided addresses "Victim Services Position Descriptions." Job descriptions and qualifications are reviewed for a victim services supervisor, a victim services volunteer and student intern coordinator, a victim services specialist senior, a victim services specialist, and a victim services student intern. A second template provides guidance on interviewing prospective victim-services personnel; and a third template guides the development of a victim services code of ethics. The fourth template, which covers the development of victim services policies, provides guidance on policies related to personnel responsibilities and standards, as well as documentation and record maintenance standards.