Commitment
Volunteer victim advocates are required to cover a minimum of eight weekend shifts per year, attend a monthly volunteer meeting (first Wednesday of each month, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.), and commit to the program for one year. On call weekend shifts begin on Friday at 5 p.m. and end Sunday at noon. Volunteers must be able to respond to any location within Lakewood within 30 minutes of being called out.
Summary
Volunteer victim advocates act on behalf of the Lakewood Police Department Victim Assistance Unit, providing victims with crisis intervention, emotional support, resources, and referrals to supportive agencies. Crisis calls can include situations of domestic violence, sexual assaults, death investigations, robberies, physical assaults, suicides, homicides, and other such crimes.
Volunteers have frequent contact with patrol agents, detectives, other department employees, and the general public. Volunteers are expected to maintain professional rapport and confidentiality with all contacts and are considered a representative of the police department. Volunteers are not to drink alcohol or take nonprescription drugs 8 hours before their shift or during their shift.
Education
Volunteers must complete a 40-hour training session (provided) before working with victims. Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus, though not required.
Interest Form