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 prox...
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