Law enforcement officers, often the first and possibly the only professionals to speak to victims following a crime, are a vital component in providing justice, information, and services to crime victims. Law enforcement provides a critical connection between the justice system and victim support services, ensuring that victims know about all available resources. While some law enforcement agencies have personnel, policies, procedures, or training on victim assistance, as of 2013, 20 percent of U.S. agencies reported that the issue is not formally addressed.¹

Each U.S. state and territory has enacted legislation that provides compensation for unreimbursed costs incurred by victims of violent crimes and, in some cases, property crimes. Maximum compensation awards range from $10,000 to $25,000 to cover crime-related expenses, often including medical and dental costs, mental health counseling, funeral and burial costs, and lost wages. Sometimes, depending on the state or county program, other expenses are also covered, such as relocation, transportation, and certain necessities. Violent crimes for which victims are eligible for compensation include, but are not limited to, assault, domestic violence, rape, child abuse, and alcohol-impaired driving. Indirect victims, such as family members of homicide victims and crime witnesses, are also eligible to apply in some programs. Eligibility, reimbursable benefits, maximum claim amounts, and application procedures vary by state or county. The vast majority of the money used to fund these programs comes from offender fees and fines, rather than taxpayer dollars, and about a third of the funding comes from the federal Crime Victims Fund. While no amount of money can undo the harm caused by crime, compensation programs allow victims to focus on their physical and emotional recovery with less financial stress.

Law enforcement often holds the important position of being the first point of contact for victims of crime.

Any victim can apply for crime victim compensation, but state and county compensation program staff must follow guidelines as they make determinations on claims. These guidelines are based on a variety of factors including police reports, contributory conduct, cooperation with law enforcement, and whether the victim or claimant has other payment sources available to cover the costs. However, compensation programs define contributory conduct and cooperation differently than law enforcement departments, so it is important to refer every victim of crime to the compensation program.

Law enforcement often holds the important position of being the first point of contact to offer compassion and resources for victims following a crime. A first responder is not expected to know the ways that trauma or crime will impact a victim, but he or she can help by being a source of information and link to resources, including crime victim compensation programs. In addition, providing information to victims to assist in their healing sets a supportive tone for the remainder of the case, which benefits both parties. Law enforcement can also refer victims to local advocates who can help the victims apply for compensation benefits, understand their rights, and navigate the criminal justice system. By providing information or referrals, law enforcement officers demonstrate their investment in the well-being of their communities and support the recovery of the victims who depend on them.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), in partnership with the Police Foundation and the National Center for Victims of Crime, has developed resources related to the role of law enforcement officers in supporting victims’ access to compensation to provide officers with information and to encourage understanding of their critical role in supporting crime victims.

The resources include training videos for first responders, investigators, and executive leadership; companion guides to accompany each video and to guide discussions; tip cards for law enforcement; and more.

These new resources give law enforcement the information and motivation to help victims each step of the way, from speaking to a victim and leaving them with important information to writing reports that include key victim compensation information. Some resources can be personalized by an agency and can be printed and carried by officers to easily pass information on to victims. Ideally, these materials will become an important part of victim-centered policing and will promote trusting and reciprocal relationships between law enforcement and their communities.

Visit the IACP website to access these materials and more:

• Training videos and companion guides for first responders, investigators, and law enforcement leadership
• A list of frequently asked questions about victim compensation
• A palm card with information on victim compensation that can be customized to a specific jurisdiction
• A tip card on important elements of writing a report that can help a victim be approved for compensation🛡

Note: 

¹ Heather Warnken, “What Does Data Tell Us About Law Enforcement-Based Victim Services?” Police Chief (April 4, 2018).

Please cite as

Julia Holtemeyer “Law Enforcement’s Role in Supporting Crime Victims’ Access to Compensation,” IACP@Work, Police Chief 85, no. 10 (2018): 78–79.