Victim Services
VICTIM SERVICES
The Westminster Police Department utilizes a Victim Services Unit to provide support, information and referrals to crime victims. Law Enforcement based victim advocates are not protected by confidentiality. This means any information provided to advocates that pertains to a criminal case must be reported to the investigating officer. Victim Advocates are required by law to report any incidents of child abuse.
Victim Advocates are available on a 24 hour basis, seven days a week. The Department utilizes paid advocates as well as volunteer advocates. (Learn more about volunteering.) Victim Advocates provide you with information about your rights as the victim of a protected crime, information about your criminal case and help you understand the criminal justice process. Victim Advocates can also provide information about Victim Compensation and provide assistance with filling out Victim Compensation forms. Victim Advocates are also trained to provide crisis intervention and emotional support and can provide referrals to emergency resources.
Contact the Victim Services Unit at 303-658-4210 if you have questions about a criminal case, if you need information about the availability of community resources or if you would like information about volunteering as a victim advocate.
Donations:
The Westminster Police Department receives numerous calls and visits from those wishing to donate used clothing, toys, stuffed animals, etc. Although we appreciate the thoughtfulness of such donations, we are unable to accept them. If you would like to donate items for victims or those in need, please contact one of the following:
The Family Tree 303-462-1060
Alternatives to Family Violence 303-428-9611
Victim Services Mission
To ensure that victims of crime and personal tragedy are treated justly with compassion and dignity.
Victim Services Vision
To provide appropriate, quality services to victims of crime and personal tragedy within the City of Westminster with integrity and unbiased compassion in accordance with the state constitutional amendment.
Crime Victim Compensation
Victim Compensation is a monetary fund distributed by the Crime Victim Compensation Board in each County. Funds awarded can help with the replacement of doors, locks or windows that were damaged during a criminal incident; medical expenses related to the criminal incident, or mental health counseling needed as a result of a criminal incident. To apply for Victim Compensation, the following criteria must be met:
The crime must be reported to a law enforcement agency within 72 hours of the incident.
The victim must be cooperative with the investigation of the crime
The victim must not have been engaged in the commission of a crime at the time of their victimization.
Victim Compensation is an application process an awards cannot be guaranteed. The receive an application or for further questions, please contact Victim Services at 303-658-4210.
Victims’ Rights
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 24 Article 4.1 guarantees certain rights to victims of the following crimes:
• Murder, manslaughter or homicide
• Vehicular homicide or assault
• Assault
• Menacing
• Kidnapping
• Sexual assault on an adult or a child
• Sexual exploitation of children
• Robbery
• Incest
• Child Abuse
• Crimes against At-Risk persons
• Crimes involving domestic violence
• Careless driving resulting in death
• Harassment by stalking
• Ethnic intimidation
• Tampering with a victim or witness
• Retaliation against a victim or witness
• Aggravated retaliation of a witness or victim
• Indecent Exposure
• Violation of a protection order in a sexual assault case
Under CRS 24-4.1-302.5, victims of these crimes are entitled to the following rights:
• To be treated with fairness, respect and dignity.
• To be informed of, and present for all critical states of the criminal justice process.
• To be free from intimidation, harassment or abuse, and to be informed about what steps can be taken if there is any intimidation or harassment by a person accused or convicted of a crime, or anyone acting on the person’s behalf.
• Notification of any change in the status of the accused.
• To be heard at any court proceeding that involves a bond reduction or modification, the acceptance of a negotiated plea agreement or sentencing, or any modification of a sentence.
• To have restitution ordered and to be informed of the right to pursue a civil judgment against the person convicted of a crime.
• To the release of property after the case is settled and it is no longer needed as evidence.
• Notification of all case dispositions including appeals.
• Time notifications of all court dates.
• Employer intercession.
• To be informed of the availability of financial assistance and community services.
• To be informed of all processes for enforcing compliance.
• At the discretion of the district attorney, the victim has the right to view all or a portion of the pre-sentence report of the probation department.
• To be informed of the results of any HIV testing that is ordered and performed.
Obtaining Police Reports:
Due to state law, not all police reports are releasable, but may be available upon request. To request a copy of a police report, please come to the Records Division of the Police Department and fill out a request form. There is a nominal charge for the printing of any police report.
Protection Orders in Criminal Cases (CRS 18-1-1001)
As part of a criminal case, the judge can issue a protection order directing the defendant to refrain from any contact with the victim. These orders can exclude the defendant from the home, restrain them from direct and indirect contact, prohibit possession or consumption of alcohol or drugs, and prohibit the possession of firearms, and anything else the court deems appropriate. Violations of these protection orders should be reported to law enforcement.
Civil Protection Orders to prevent domestic abuse may be obtained at the county court with the assistance of the following organizations:
Project Safeguard (Adams County) 303-637-7761
Women In Crisis (Jefferson County) 303-420-0412
Helping Agencies:
Alternatives to Family Violence 303-289-4441
Anti Violence Project 303-839-5204
American Red Cross 303-722-7474
Asian Pacific Development Center 303-393-0304
Catholic Charities 720-974-1579
Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence 303-831-9632
Community Reach Center 303-853-3500
Colorado Legal Services 303-837-1313
Denver Indian Center 303-936-2688
Domestic Violence Initiatives for Women with Disabilities 303-839-5510
Gay& lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Community Ctr 303-733-7743
Goodwill Industries 303-650-7700
Jefferson Center for Mental Health 302-425-0300
Project Safeguard 303-637-7761
Rape Awareness & Assistance Program 303-322-7273
Seniors, Inc. 303-300-6900
Senior Resource Center 303-238-8151
Servicios de la Raza 303-458-5851
Women in Crisis 303-420-6752
Hospitals:
Avista Medical Center 303-673-1000
Boulder Community Hospital 303-440-2273
Children’s Hospital 303-861-8888
Denver Health Medical Center 303-436-6000
Exempla Good Samaritan Hospital 303-689-4000
Lutheran Hospital 303-425-4500
North Suburban Hospital 303-451-7800
Rose Medical Center 303-320-2121
Presbyterian/St. Lukes 303-839-6000
St. Anthony Central 303-629-3511
St. Anthony North 303-426-2151
St. Joseph Hospital 303-837-7111
Swedish Medical Center 303-788-5000
Law Enforcement Agencies:
Adams County Sheriff’s Office 303-654-1850
Communications Center 303-288-1535
Victim Services 720-322-1240
Adams County District Attorney’s Office 303-654-7720
Victim Witness Office 303-659-7735
Arvada Police Department 720-898-6900
Victim Services 303-202-2196
Broomfield Police Department 303-438-6400
Victim Services 303-438-6429
Colorado State Patrol 303-239-4400
Victim Services 303-273-1618
Commerce City Police Department 303-287-2844
Victim Services 303-289-3655
Denver Police Department 720-913-2000
Victim Services 720-913-6035
Federal Heights Police Department 303-428-8833
Victim Services 303-412-3541
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office 303-271-0211
Victim Services 303-271-5570
Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office 303-271-6800
Victim Witness 303-271-6840
Northglenn Police Department 303-450-8892
Victim Services 303-450-8579
Thornton Police Department 720-977-5140
Victim Services 720-977-5172
Westminster Police Department 303-658-4360
Victim Services 303-658-4210