DGO6.19 "Victim of Violent Crime Notification"

6.19.01 PURPOSE

The purpose of this order is to coordinate and administer the Victim of Violent Crime Act (Cal. Govt. Code 13959 et. seq.), and establish procedures for the notification of victims and the processing of forms.

6.19.02 POLICY

A. COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATION. The San Francisco Police Department coordinates a program with the District Attorney's Office Victim Services Division (VSD) to administer the Victim of Violent Crime Act in San Francisco. The Police Department is responsible for notification and referrals, and the Victim Services Division is responsible for the administration of services. 

B. VICTIM SERVICES. District Attorney's Office Victim Services Division (VSD) provides assistance with and/or referrals to:

• Crisis support services and counseling
• Guidance in navigating the criminal justice system and providing case information
• Emergency assistance: relocation, transportation and safety planning
• Referral to local resources and services- employment, medical/dental, mental health, housing and childcare
• Funeral and Burial expenses

Victims may also be eligible for Victims of Crime Compensation to help pay for expenses including:

• Medical and dental treatment
• Mental health services
• Income loss
• Home security
• Relocation

The Victim Services Division does not reimburse for lost or stolen cash or property, property damage or loss due to fraud.

C. POSTING OF NOTICES. Every police facility open to the public shall prominently display in public view a sign(s) giving notification of the Victim of Violent Crime Act, contact information for the Victim Services Division and that Crime Victim Compensation Forms are available in numerous languages including Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, and Spanish at the California Victim Compensation Board website.

1. The facility shall also have a supply of required Application for Crime Victim Compensation forms provided by the California Victims Compensation Board (form VCGCB-VCP-005 Rev. 10/2017) for distribution to any person wishing to file for compensation.

6.19.03 PROCEDURES

A. DUTIES OF MEMBERS. Members assist victims of violent crimes by providing them a Crime Notification Form (SFPD 369) as part of the Victim Services Division. 

B. NOTIFICATION. When conducting a preliminary investigation of crimes relating to the following categories: violent crime, personal injury or death, members are to follow these procedures:

1. Give the victim or their family a Victim of Crime Notification form (SFPD 369) and explain the scope of the program.
2. The Victim of Crime Notification Forms are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog and Russian.
3. All written forms and notices shall be provided to victim(s) in their preferred language when available. Instances where the forms are not available in the LEP individual's preferred language or a case of illiteracy, members shall revert to practices outlined in DUO 5.20 Language Access Services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons.
4. If an LEP victim requires a translated version of Form 369 in their preferred language, members shall contact the Department's Language Access liaison to facilitate with this request.
5. Instances where an incident report is prepared regarding an incident involving an LEP individual, it shall identify their preferred language; identify the means of interpretation; the manner in which interpretation services were provided in compliance with DGO 5.20.
6. Check the "Victim of Crime Notification" box on the incident report to signify the Form 369 was provided. If you are unable to furnish the victim or their family with the notification, state in the narrative of the incident report the reason the notification was not made.

C. DUTIES OF INVESTIGATORS. Sergeants and Inspectors assigned to investigate a violent crime should remind the victim and/or victim's family of the resources available through the Victim Services Division and note referral in the chronological or record of investigation.

1. Any change or update in a victim's contact information on an assigned investigation should be relayed to the Victim Services Division and noted in the chronological or record of investigation.

References:

DGO 6.09, Domestic Violence 
DGO 5.20 Language Access Services for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons 
Domestic Violence Referral Card (SFPD 142) 
Victim of Crime Notification form (SFPD 369)