GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: GENERAL OPERATIONS
TITLE: VICTIM & WITNESS ASSISTANCE
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF SCOTT BONNER
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VICTIM & WITNESS ASSISTANCE
318.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that crime victims and witnesses receive appropriate assistance, that they are provided with information from government and private resources, and that the agency meets all related legal mandates.
318.2 POLICY
The Lincoln Police Department is committed to providing guidance and assistance to the victims and witnesses of crime. The members of the Lincoln Police Department will show compassion and understanding for victims and witnesses and will make reasonable efforts to provide the support and information identified in this policy.
318.3 CRIME VICTIM ADVOCATE
A Crime Victim Advocate is a person who is employed or authorized by a public entity or a private entity that receives funding primarily to provide counseling, treatment, or other supportive assistance to crime victims. The crime victim advocate is a point of contact for individuals requiring further assistance or information regarding benefits from crime victim resources. This person is also responsible for maintaining compliance with legal mandates related to crime victims and/or witnesses.
Under state and federal law, victims have certain rights and must be informed of these rights. Under this section a victim is defined as a person who suffered a serious personal injury or death as a result of criminally injurious conduct (Ala Code 15-23-3). Victims under this statue must be referred to the county District Attorney's office to speak to a crime victim advocate for further assistance and information.
318.4 CRIME VICTIMS
Officers should provide all victims with the applicable victim information handouts.
Officers should never guarantee a victim's safety from future harm but may make practical safety suggestions to victims who express fear of future harm or retaliation. Officers should never guarantee that a person qualifies as a victim for the purpose of compensation or restitution but may direct him/her to the proper department to seek assistance.
318.4.1 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS REGARDING VICTIMS
Upon written request, the Lincoln Police Department shall provide sexual assault victims with information regarding policies governing the collection and preservation of a sexual assault evidence collection kit (Ala. Code § 15-23-121).
318.5 VICTIM INFORMATION
Victim information handouts shall be available, current, and include as appropriate:
(a) Shelters and other community resources for victims including domestic violence and sexual assault victims.
(b) An advisement that a person who was arrested may be released on bond or some other form of release and that the victim should not rely upon an arrest as a guarantee of safety.
(c) A clear explanation of relevant court orders and how they can be obtained.
(d) Information regarding available compensation and restitution for qualifying victims of crime (Ala. Code § 15-18-65 et seq.; Ala. Code § 15-23-1 et seq.).
(e) ALAVINE information (Alabama Victim Information and Notification Everyday), including the telephone number and whether this free service is available to allow victims to check on an offender's custody status and to register for automatic notification when a person is released from jail.
(f) Resources available for victims of identity theft.
(g) A place for the officer's name, badge number, and any applicable case or incident number.
(h) For victims of domestic violence, the "Legal Rights and Remedies Notice to Victims"distributed by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)(Ala. Code § 13A-6-134).
(i) Information regarding crime victims' rights pursuant to Ala. Code § 15-23-62 and the Alabama constitution.
(j) Information regarding the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights (Ala. Code § 15-23-120 et seq.).
318.6 WITNESSES
Officers should never guarantee a witness’ safety from future harm or that his/her identity will always remain confidential. Officers may make practical safety suggestions to witnesses who express fear of future harm or retaliation.
Officers should investigate allegations of witness intimidation and take enforcement action when lawful and reasonable.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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