Police - Victim Assistance - Volunteer

Glendale Victim Assistance Services is constantly seeking volunteers to assist in various services to crime victims.

Most of us know someone that has been a victim of a crime.  A neighbor, a relative, a friend and sometimes even ourselves.  It’s unfortunate, but crimes take place every day.  Whether it is an Assault, a Burglary or even a Homicide.  Victims of these crimes often need immediate assistance to deal with what has happened.  For over 33 years, the Victim Assistance Unit of the Glendale Police Department has been there to help.  A large part of our assistance comes from interested volunteers that want to give back to their communities and lend a helping hand. 

There are a number of ways for volunteers to get involved and provide assistance to crime victims.  If you are the type of person that likes to get up and go, then VA Patrol is for you! The Victim Assistance Patrol is made up of teams that assist Police when responding to a crime scene, where a victim may be in need of services.  VA Patrol teams cover the evening hours during the weekends.  If the Court system intrigues you, then sign up for a weekend Court shift and help relay victim’s input for pending Court proceedings.  Or if you just want to help out in anyway needed, then sign up for one of our special projects or assist with routine office duties.  We’re sure that there is something that will suit your interest!

Volunteers are expected to provide a minimum of 4 hours of service per month and of course more hours are greatly appreciated!  Upon acceptance into the Volunteer Program, volunteers attend and in-depth training, so don’t worry, we don’t just throw you out there!  For more information about the application and screening process, please contact Sandra Muñoz, Victim Assistance Volunteer Coordinator, by e-mail smunoz@glendaleaz.com or by phone 623-930-3723.  Here is your chance to help someone in need; we would love to have you on the City of Glendale team!

What Do Victim Assistance Volunteers Do?

Volunteers with Glendale Victim Assistance serve in four primary ways.

• Glendale Police Department Victim Assistance volunteer responders may be dispatched to family emergencies such as deaths, traffic accidents, fires, distraught citizens, as well as to criminal incidents such as Domestic Violence calls. 
  
  
• Police volunteers support weekend Initial Appearances at Glendale City Court (generally occurring at 8AM), contacting victims in cases in which an arrest has been made (mostly Domestic Violence incidents) and providing information about the victim’s concerns to the Initial Appearance judge.  After the Initial Appearance hearing is completed, the volunteer recontacts the victim to inform him or her of the defendant’s Conditions of Release.  These contacts often result in more comprehensive discussion of the victim’s concerns.
  
  
• In an activity that is more predictable and more scheduled, Victim Assistance volunteers perform a computer-based letter generation process which informs victims of their Victims’ Rights and provides victims with information about the Criminal Justice System and its processes.  Volunteers are able to schedule this form of volunteer work. 

Application process

Victim Assistance volunteers are also Glendale Police Department volunteers.  As a result, the application process is very demanding. 

• The first step is an interview with one of the Victim Assistance Staff to inform the prospective victim and to ascertain “fit” between the prospective volunteer and victim services work.
  
  
• A Background Investigation will be performed by the Department, requiring completion of an extensive personal history. 
  
  
• The volunteer candidate will complete a polygraph.

Volunteer Training

The Victim Assistance Caseworker staff conducts a month-long training which covers topics including:

• Victimology
• Crisis Theory and Crisis Intervention
• Overview of the Criminal Justice System
• Ethics and Cultural Competency
• Mental Health Issues
• Children and Trauma
• Legal Issues and Victims
• Suicide
• Vulnerable Adult Abuse
• Sexual Assault
• Domestic Violence
• Death, Grief, and Bereavement
• Death Notification
• Stress Management
• Child Welfare
• Substance Abuse

These classes are usually conducted on a weeknight, from 6:30 PM until 9 PM. 

Interested?

If you are interested in volunteering with Victim Assistance, contact Sandra Munoz by
e-mail or call (623) 930-3723