VICTIMS ASSISTANCE


The Victim Response Unit was established in 1994. The City of Cortez Police Department and the Victims Response Unit personnel work in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies including Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, Dolores County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mancos Marshal’s Office.  We also are available to assist the Colorado State Patrol, all area Fire Departments, Southwest Memorial Hospital, United Search and Rescue, Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Police, Bureau of Indian Affairs, FBI, US Forest Service, Park Service and Division Wildlife.

 

The Victim Response Program consists of a full time program coordinator and volunteers which offer coverage 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

 

It is the goal of the City of Cortez Police Department Victim Response Unit to enhance the treatment of victims and survivors of crime and non-criminal crisis situations.  By providing the victims with immediate on scene crisis intervention, resources and referrals to appropriate agencies, organizations and other appropriate victim services necessary to speed their physical and emotional recovery.  To support and aid the victim as they proceed through the Criminal Justice System in hopes to help secure a willing participant for the prosecution.

 

It is our mission to improve the treatment of all victims of crime by providing immediate on scene assistance and referrals to services necessary to speed their recovery from a criminal act.  By attending to the immediate needs of a victim the program will allow for timely investigations by law enforcement officers.  The program will provide the following services.

 

  1. Immediate on scene crisis intervention.
  2. Provide appropriate agency referral
  3. Relieve officers so a timely investigation occurs while ensuring the victim receives constant support
  4. Act as a liaison between officer and victim when appropriate
  5. Keep victims informed as to the status of their case during the investigative process
  6. Ensure a safe and productive environment for the victim throughout the interview/investigative process

 

Colorado Victim Rights Amendment was passed in 1992, which provides rights to victims of violent crime.  Some of the crimes that are covered are:

1.      Murder

2.      Manslaughter

3.      Assault

4.      Homicide

5.      Menacing

6.      Kidnapping

7.      Sexual Assault

8.      Robbery

9.      Child Abuse

10.  Incest

11.  Sexual Exploitation of children

12.  Crimes Against at-risk persons

13.  Domestic Violence

14.  Careless Driving the results in death of another person

15.  Failure to stop at the scene of an accident that results in the death of another person

16.  Stalking

17.  Ethnic intimidation

18.  Retaliation against a witness or victim

19.  Tampering with a witness or victim

Any attempt, conspiracy, solicitation, or accessory of the above listed crime.