Police Department
Reference: Expanding Victim Services
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Matt Domenico, Deputy Chief of Police
Date Prepared: October 4, 2022
PURPOSE
To provide council with information regarding the request from the police departments of Fort Lupton and Lochbuie to contract with the Brighton Police Department to provide statutorily mandated services to victims of crime and personal tragedy.
BACKGROUND
All law enforcement agencies in the state of Colorado are required to provide certain services to victims of crimes covered by the Victim Rights Act. In 2014 Brighton police partnered with the Commerce City Police department to provide victim services in both cities. This merger has proven to be highly successful, resulting in enhanced services to crime victims and increasing the number of professional staff members available to each city. The Brighton/Commerce City Victim Services Unit has been recognized locally, statewide and nationally as a model agency whose service to victims of crime and personal tragedy far exceed those required by law.
The Fort Lupton and Lochbuie Police department have historically contracted with the Weld County Sheriff’s office to provide victim services for their respective jurisdictions. In July of 2022 Fort Lupton and Lochbuie were both notified that the Weld County Sheriff’s office would no longer be providing these services after December 31st, 2022. Fort Lupton and Lochbuie approached Brighton Police Department and requested to join the existing partnership and have the Brighton Police Department provide victim services for their municipalities.
The Victim Service’s Unit and Brighton Police Command Staff have evaluated this request and reviewed available statistical information to determine impacts on the department. After review of this information the department determined that based on anticipated workload and the geographical proximity of these jurisdictions, we could effectively provide the requested services with the addition of one full time Victim Services Specialist.
The existing cost sharing formula being utilized between Brighton and Commerce City Police will be used to assess Fort Lupton and Lochbuie their share of associated costs for the services provided and would fully cover the cost of adding an additional FTE in that division.
CONCLUSIONS
There are no downsides associated with building a strong regional relationship and partnership with City of Fort Lupton and The Town of Lochbuie. Each of these agencies’ border the city of Brighton. The expansion of the existing partnership to these agencies will provide all agencies with additional personnel and resources for times of critical incidents. Providing services to these communities will expand the opportunities to recruit and train additional volunteer victim advocates to serve all of these cities. The seamless services to crime victims and personal tragedy will increase. The City of Brighton is committed to excellence in service to crime victims. By increasing our service area, we will be increasing staff and services to crime victims, modeling excellence.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The only financial impact expected for the expansion of this partnership is the addition of one FTE Victim Advocate Specialist. The cost of adding this position will be fully covered by the costs assessed for the services to Fort Lupton and Lochbuie.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Not applicable
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends moving forward with approving the attached Inter Governmental Agreement to provide Fort Lupton and Lochbuie with required victim services,
ATTACHMENTS
2023 Victim Services IGA