327 Victim & Witness Services (V7)

Question 1

D. Patrol/Investigations Procedures and Responsibilities
5. When a crime victim submits a claim to receive benefits through the Florida Office of the Attorney General, Bureau of Victim Compensation, officers or detectives may receive a “Law Enforcement Information Reporting Form” from the Bureau of Victim Compensation, via the JSO Records Unit, requesting information specific to the reported crime. Personnel receiving this form shall:
c. When an officer/ detective enters disqualifying information, who must review it prior to being submitted?

Answer 1

c. When an officer/detective enters any information on the form that would disqualify the applicant from receiving compensation, a commanding officer in the Investigations Division and/or a Patrol lieutenant or above, must review the circumstances of the disqualifying information prior to forwarding the form to the Victim Advocate. Disqualifying information includes the victim’s failure to cooperate with law enforcement, the victim participating in an unlawful activity at the time of the incident, and/or the victim contributing to the infliction of injuries by his own conduct.

Question 2

G. Emergency Shelter
1. “Project Safehouse” is a program designed by the SAO in conjunction with Hubbard House to assist victims of domestic/dating violence who are in an immediate crisis situation and require emergency shelter. Officers who come in contact with such victims shall, in addition to completing the necessary reports:
b. If a victim is transported by JSO to Hubbard House what must go in the report?

Answer 2

b. If the victim is without transportation and is unable to obtain transportation, transport the victim to the Hubbard House facility. When transporting or referring a victim to the Hubbard House, reporting officers shall indicate in the Incident Report the victim was transported or referred to a “safe location”. No mention of the Hubbard House shall be made. When transporting or escorting a victim or family member(s) to Hubbard House, the reporting/transporting officer shall request that NCIC contact the shelter by telephone to advise that an officer is en route.

Question 3

H. Address Confidentiality Program
When entered in this program, who is the only person with the authority to release the victim’s information and what is the process?

Answer 3

6. If an officer/detective requires access to victim information for investigation and/or prosecution purposes, it can only be obtained from the Office of the Attorney General with a subpoena or court order.