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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
Time: 3:03 am
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Results for first responders
7 results foundAuthor: Rosay, Andre B. Title: Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Stalking Summary: This project examined sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking cases reported to the Alaska State Troopers. More specifically, we examined all sexual assault and sexual abuse of minor incidents reported to Alaska State Troopers in 2003 and 2004, all assaults in domestic violence incidents reported to Alaska State Troopers in 2004, and all stalking incidents reported to Alaska State Troopers from 1994 to 2005. In addition, we examined whether cases were referred to the Alaska Department of Law for prosecution, were accepted for prosecution, and resulted in a conviction. This report provides a thorough overview of key characteristics on reports, suspects, victims, incidents, witnesses, and legal resolutions. This report also examines the predictors of legal resolutions. Finally, this report examines whether rural cases are less likely to have successful legal resolutions. Results clearly show that what Alaska State Troopers do when investigating reported offenses can increase rates of referral, acceptance, and conviction. In addition, we found no evidence of under-enforcement in rural areas. Contrary to allegations that the provision of criminal justice services is diminished in rural areas, we found that geographic isolation does not hinder case processing. These results are important for other rural jurisdictions. Most importantly, we found that cases first reported to local first responders had better legal resolutions. This finding suggests that the resources provided by these first responders (i.e., reduced response time and enhanced investigation) increase the rates of prosecutions and convictions. This finding is important not just in Alaska, but in other jurisdictions where official responders are not immediately available. Details: Anchorage, AK: University of Alaska Anchorage, Justice Center, 2010. 246p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 22, 2011 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/236429.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/236429.pdf Shelf Number: 123416 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFirst RespondersIntimate Partner ViolenceSexual Assaults (Alaska)Stalking |
Author: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Title: Body-Worn Video Cameras for Law Enforcement Assessment Report. System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Summary: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program to assist emergency responders making procurement decisions. Located within the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) of DHS, the SAVER Program conducts objective assessments and validations on commercially available equipment and systems and develops knowledge products that provide relevant equipment information to the emergency responder community. The SAVER Program mission includes: - Conducting impartial, practitioner-relevant, operationally oriented assessments and validations of emergency response equipment - Providing information, in the form of knowledge products, that enables decision-makers and responders to better select, procure, use, and maintain emergency response equipment. SAVER Program knowledge products provide information on equipment that falls under the categories listed in the DHS Authorized Equipment List (AEL), focusing primarily on two main questions for the responder community: "What equipment is available?" and "How does it perform?" These knowledge products are shared nationally with the responder community, providing a life- and cost-saving asset to DHS, as well as to Federal, state, and local responders. The SAVER Program is supported by a network of Technical Agents who perform assessment and validation activities. As a SAVER Program Technical Agent, the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWARSYSCEN) Atlantic has been tasked to provide expertise and analysis on key subject areas, including communications, sensors, security, weapon detection, and surveillance, among others. In support of this tasking, SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic developed this report to provide emergency responders with information obtained from an operationally oriented assessment of body-worn video cameras for law enforcement, which fall under AEL reference number 13LE-00-SURV titled Equipment, Law Enforcement Surveillance. Body-worn video cameras are valuable tools that can be used by law enforcement to record traffic stops, arrests, sobriety tests, and interviews. Body-worn video camera systems typically consist of a camera, microphone, battery, and onboard storage. They are designed to be head-mounted or worn at various locations on the body, depending on the model. In January 2015, the System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) Program conducted an operationally oriented assessment of body-worn video cameras for law enforcement. Seven body-worn video cameras were assessed by emergency responders. The criteria and scenarios used in this assessment were derived from the results of a focus group of emergency responders with experience using body-worn video cameras. The assessment addressed 16 evaluation criteria in three SAVER categories: Capability, Deployability, and Usability. Details: Washington, DC: Department of Homeland Security; North Charleston, NC: Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, 2015. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 20, 2015 at: http://www.firstresponder.gov/SAVER/Documents/Body-Worn-Cams-AR_0415-508.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.firstresponder.gov/SAVER/Documents/Body-Worn-Cams-AR_0415-508.pdf Shelf Number: 136112 Keywords: Body-Worn Video CamerasEmergency PreparednessFirst RespondersHomeland SecurityVideo CamerasVideo Surveillance |
Author: Heyman, Miriam Title: Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders Summary: A white paper commissioned by the Foundation has revealed that first responders (policemen and firefighters) are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. In 2017, there were at least 103 firefighter suicides and 140 police officer suicides. In contrast, 93 firefighters and 129 police officers died in the line of duty. Suicide is a result of mental illness, including depression and PTSD, which stems from constant exposure to death and destruction. The white paper study, the Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders, examines a number of factors contributing to mental health issues among first responders and what leads to their elevated rate of suicide. One study included in the white paper found that on average, police officers witness 188 'critical incidents' during their careers. This exposure to trauma can lead to several forms of mental illness. For example, PTSD and depression rates among firefighters and police officers have been found to be as much as 5 times higher than the rates within the civilian population, which causes these first responders to commit suicide at a considerably higher rate (firefighters: 18/100,000; police officers: 17/100,000; general population 13/100,000). Even when suicide does not occur, untreated mental illness can lead to poor physical health and impaired decision-making. In addition, the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA) estimates that approximately 40% of firefighter suicides are reported. If these estimates are accurate, the actual number of 2017 suicides would be approximately equal to 257, which is more than twice the number of firefighters who died in the line of duty. "First responders are heroes who run towards danger every day in order to save the lives of others. They are also human beings, and their work exerts a toll on their mental health," said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. "It is our obligation to support them in every way possible - to make sure that they feel welcome and able to access life-saving mental health care. This white paper should serve as a critical call to action to all who care about our heroes in red and blue." The white paper also goes on to lay out several barriers that prevent first responders from accessing necessary mental health services to help them cope with trauma. Experts describe the shame and stigma surrounding mental health within professions that prioritize bravery and toughness, and the public remains largely unaware of these issues, since the vast majority of first responder suicides are not covered by the mainstream media. Additionally, of the 18,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States, approximately 3-5% have suicide prevention training programs. Details: Boston: Ruderman Family Foundations, 2018. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 28, 2018 at: http://rudermanfoundation.org/white_papers/police-officers-and-firefighters-are-more-likely-to-die-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty/ Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: http://rudermanfoundation.org/white_papers/police-officers-and-firefighters-are-more-likely-to-die-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty/ Shelf Number: 149934 Keywords: First RespondersMental health ServicesPolice SuicidesPost-Traumatic Stress SyndromeSuicide |
Author: Frankham, Emma Title: Culpability Without Power: Nonprofit Narratives Relating to Calling Police in a Mental Health Crisis Summary: While police are often the first responders to mental health crises, little is known about the advice available to people regarding the decision to call police. The author analyzes advice published by thirty-six mental health advocacy organizations. An overarching theme is what the author terms `culpability without power': those who initiate police contact are framed as being culpable for the actions of police, despite also being portrayed as powerless in these situations. Further, the advice provided varies dependent on whether a nonprofit has a contractual relationship with state government(s) in the provision of police mental health training. Details: Working paper, 2018. Source: Internet Resource: accessed May 10, 2018 at: https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/3s8kq/ Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/3s8kq/ Shelf Number: 150139 Keywords: First RespondersMentally Ill PersonsPolice Services for the Mentally IllPolice Training |
Author: Myrstol, Brad A. Title: An Innovative Response to an Intractable Problem: Using Village Public Safety Officers to Enhance the Criminal Justice Response to Violence Committed Against Alaska Native and American Indian Women in Alaska's Tribal Communities Summary: Executive Summary The principal goal of this project was to empirically document and evaluate the impact Alaska’s village public safety officer (VPSO) program has on the investigation and prosecution of those who commit acts of sexual and domestic violence against Alaska Native and American Indian women in Alaska’s tribal communities. To accomplish this goal, detailed case record reviews were performed on 683 sexual assault and sexual abuse of a minor cases and 982 domestic violence cases that were closed by the Alaska State Troopers C-Detachment between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011. Results show that the men and women who constitute Alaska’s VPSO program play a central role in the criminal justice response to incidents of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and domestic violence committed in Alaska’s tribal communities. This study documents the many ways that VPSOs not only serve as a “force multiplier” for Troopers by serving as first responders and assisting with investigations. VPSOs also serve victims and their communities by providing crucial post-incidents supports and services in the aftermath of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and domestic violence incidents. This study finds that VPSOs (and other paraprofessional police) enhance the criminal justice response to incidents of sexual violence by increasing the probability that such cases, once reported, will be referred for prosecution, accepted for prosecution, and ultimately result in conviction. These are tangible, positive outcomes that directly benefit victims, their families and their communities, and evidence that the participation of VPSOs increases the likelihood that the perpetrators of these crimes will be held accountable for their conduct. However, the multivariate analyses conducted show that the contributions made by VPSOs and other paraprofessional police are not uniform across case type. More specifically, this study finds that a paraprofessional police response significantly enhances the criminal justice response to sexual abuse of a minor cases but not sexual assault cases, once other explanatory factors (for example, the quality of evidence collected) are accounted for. While this study’s multivariate analyses were constrained by relatively small sample sizes for sexual assault and sexual abuse of a minor cases, respectively, the findings suggest that the “VPSO effect” (or, more generally, the “paraprofessional police effect”) on the criminal justice response to violence committed against Alaska Native/American Indian females in Alaska’s tribal communities may be “age graded” and limited. That is to say, our results suggest that there is something about the nature of sexual abuse of a minor incidents and their investigation that makes VPSO and other paraprofessional police involvement more tangible and impactful on key case processing outcomes. That VPSO and other paraprofessional police involvement and participation would have differential effects according to case type (and, by definition, victim age) was an unanticipated finding for which we do not have a ready explanation. This study also shows that VPSOs are intensely involved in the response to, and investigation of domestic violence incidents. However, because referral, acceptance, and conviction rates are so high for crimes of domestic violence, we did not detect any VPSO-specific effect on these outcomes. While there is no evidence that VPSOs hinder domestic violence investigations in any way, neither did we find any evidence that VPSO participation in their investigation enhances the criminal justice response to these crimes. Details: Anchorage, Alaska: University of Alaska, 2018. 124p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 17, 2019 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/251890.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/justiceinindiancountry/vsindiancountry.html Shelf Number: 154244 Keywords: AlaskaAlaska NativeAmerican IndianDomestic ViolenceFirst RespondersNative AmericanTribal CommunitiesVillage Public Safety Officer (VPSO) |
Author: Ackerman-Brimberg, M. Title: Los Angeles Law Enforcement First Responder Protocol for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children What We’ve Learned: A Four Year Look, Summary: Piloted in 2014 with support and technical assistance from the National Center for Youth Law, the Los Angeles County Law Enforcement First Responder Protocol (FRP), created an expedited, collaborative, and trauma-informed response for children and youth identified as commercially sexually exploited. This new report describes the first four years of implementation of the FRP and provides valuable insights into the backgrounds and experiences of the young people identified through the FRP, the impact of services provided, and important lessons learned. Details: Oakland, CA: National Center for Youth Law; Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Probation Department, 2018. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 7, 2019 at: https://youthlaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/FRP-4-year-review-190226.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://youthlaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/FRP-4-year-review-190226.pdf Shelf Number: 154841 Keywords: Child Prostitution Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation First RespondersJuvenile Prostitution Victim Services |
Author: International Network Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence Title: Supporting Victims of Terrorism. Report of the INVICTM Symposium in Stockholm Summary: On May 19, 2018, INVICTM - International Network Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence - held its second international symposium on Supporting Victims of Terrorism in Stockholm, Sweden. This report reflects the discussions held during the symposium. Terrorism affects individuals, communities and societies. The Circles of Impact model offers a framework to illustrate the breadth of the potential impact of a terrorist attack: four circles encompass the different groups in society that an attack might affect. The inner circle of victimization contains individuals during the terrorist attack and directly affected by it. A second, wider, circle includes the direct victims' close social environment, such as family, friends or peers. The third circle refers to individuals who are part of the formal support network such as first responders or victim support providers. And the fourth, largest circle embraces the wider society of which the individual victim is a member. A victim response aimed at understanding and responding to the needs of all those affected by terrorism builds on the Circles of Impact model and can be more inclusive than relying on limited legal definitions of who is a victim. Experts agree that a broad set of needs are common to victims of all types of crime. Victims of terrorism, however, can have additional needs and exacerbated common crime victim needs. Symposium participants identified respect and recognition, commemoration, information provision, support, compensation, access to justice and peer support as some of terrorism victims' primary needs. The list is not exhaustive nor are the needs isolated from one another -- they are closely intertwined. This report describes primary terrorism victim needs and offers tips, practical solutions, good practices and examples from across the globe to help meet these needs. Given the complexities of supporting victims of terrorism, experts recommend a flexible approach to responding to each unique terrorist attack. Years of experience and expertise, however, allow us to identify some common predictable challenges and the practical solutions that can address them. Participants from around the world identified local challenges and practical solutions for supporting victims of terrorism during the symposium. A high quality response to victims of terrorism should build on a number of basic principles: First, understand that short and long-term terrorism victim needs are intertwined. No matter how well the immediate response is carried out, there will unavoidably be long-term consequences to the victim. Second, the foundation for an effective response is a victim-centered perspective that incorporates listening to individual victims to identify their needs and being attentive to the particular needs of vulnerable groups. Individuals or groups that are particularly vulnerable to the impact of terrorist attacks include children, cross-border victims, support providers or individuals who could have been on the scene of the attack. Vulnerable individuals may have particular needs that require a specialized and adaptive response. Given the nature of the scenario used during the symposium, participants focused, in particular, on cross-border victims. Increasingly, foreigners become victims in a country that is not their own, which adds a layer of complexity to both understanding and responding to victim needs. Third, sufficient advance planning and preparation form the backbone of any comprehensive response for victims of terrorism. Symposium participants reinforced the importance of the preparatory phase identifying numerous steps that can and should be taken in advance of an attack. Fourth, effective coordination in times of need builds on a network established during the preparatory phase. The work of creating networks is currently ongoing at both national and international levels. INVICTM's leadership role in fostering and facilitating a network is an important step in improving international collaboration to strengthen the support for all victims of terrorism. Details: Brussels: Victim Support Europe, 2018. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 4, 2019 at: https://victimsupport.eu/activeapp/wp-content/files_mf/1553847245INVICTMSymposiumReport2018.pdf Year: 2018 Country: International URL: https://victimsupport.eu/activeapp/wp-content/files_mf/1553847245INVICTMSymposiumReport2018.pdf Shelf Number: 155340 Keywords: First RespondersTerrorismVictim ServicesVictims of Terrorism |