As the first ones on the scene of a crime, police officers are also often the first responders to the victims of crimes. This places a tremendous responsibility on the shoulders of officers, who already have a critical job to do, to act as the initial service providers to victims who are in a situation they never anticipated. These initial encounters can shape a victim’s experience with the entire criminal justice system, and law enforcement’s response to victims can have a far-reaching impact on the effectiveness of victim services.