Applicable To: All Communications Personnel

Approval Authority:  Major S. L. Savage

Signature:  Signed by RJP

Date Signed:  12/11/07

1.               PURPOSE

This directive establishes procedures for a call taker’s response to victim/witness request for information and or services.

2.               POLICY

The Atlanta Police Department Communications Section will provide timely and appropriate attention to the immediate needs of victims and witnesses.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              The Communications 911 Dispatchers will assist victim/witness callers.

3.2              The Communication supervisors will ensure that call takers maintain referral information at each console (CALEA 81.2.7.).

3.3              Communication call taker’s will assist callers with information as provided in this directive and/or the dispatch of an officer.

4.               ACTION 

4.1              If the caller needs a social service counselor, the call taker will use the following course:

                  Explain to the caller what the organization can provide.

                  Organization                 Hours Available                          Phone Number

                  1.  Atlanta Victim          Monday-Friday                          

                       Assistance              8:00 a. m. - -5:00 p. m.               404-588-4740

                  2. United way 211         24 hours                                            211

4.2              If the caller needs to speak with an investigator’s and knows the incident number about a case; then patch the caller through.  If the callers   has no knowledge as to who to talk with, make referral to the appropriate social services agencies as indicated in section 4.1.

4.3              Communications call takers will log victim/witness calls onto APD Computer Aide Dispatched (CAD) system under the following signal and codes:

                  Signal 39 Code 5c on AVA and 211 referrals.

                  Signal 39 Code 5d on investigator’s referrals.

5.               DEFINITIONS

                  N/A

6.               CANCELLATION

                  N/A                

7.               REFERENCES

7.1              APD.SOP.3100 Atlanta Victim Assistance, Inc.

7.2              APD.SOP.3200 Criminal Justice and Social Services Diversion Programs.