Law Enforcement-Based Victim Services – Template Package III: Student Interns & Volunteers

• NCJ Number: 300043
• Date Published: December 2020
• Agencies: OVC-Sponsored
• Grant Number(s): 2018-V3-GX-K049

Annotation

As part of the U.S. Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime’s (OVC’s) Law Enforcement-Based Victim Services & Technical Assistance Program (LEV Program) this Template Package III provides training for law enforcement agencies in the selection and management of student interns and volunteers who will assist law enforcement agencies in serving crime victims.

Abstract

This training template, along with other templates in the LEV training program, is a starting point for agencies rather than an exhaustive list of resources for developing victim services polices or procedures for law enforcement agencies. The templates were developed from a review of documents that describe existing law enforcement victim services programs. Topics addressed in this Template Package III relate to the recruiting, screening, selection, training, and supervision of student interns and volunteers to perform victim services for a law enforcement agency. Such law enforcement personnel can conduct projects that may not be prioritized for sworn officers due to time constraints; however, they can have a significant impact on the agency’s interactions with victims. Agencies that establish student intern and volunteer programs are encouraged to set high standards for participants that align with the agency’s mission, vision, and values. Some services they perform require specialized skills and training. Major topic areas in this template are program development, supervisor selection, grant funding, and clarification of responsibilities. Other major topics address screening and selection, administrative considerations, training, supervision, and evaluation. Online access is provided to 15 other templates related to some aspect of a student intern/volunteer program.