No one wants to be a victim of a crime but we are all potential victims. The department's

victim assistant works daily with patrol officers and detectives by assisting them with victims of crimes. The assistant offers help in many ways to the victims and helps them understand the criminal justice process. At times, the assistant offers counseling to help them better understand their feelings and confusion of being a victim.

If you are a victim, the Fort Pierce Police Department is committed to protecting your rights and meeting your needs through our Victim Assistance Program. The program is available, at no cost, to any crime victim in the City of Fort Pierce. The victim assistant is responsible for overseeing this program, in addition to, coordinating the department's Chaplain Services and Santa Cop Program.

Chaplain Services
Instead of having one chaplain bear the responsibility of delivering the news of death notification, there are now five. The department uses the chaplains in several capacities, including assisting with department ceremonial programs, certain types of employee assistance, community crisis intervention and officiating or assisting with police funerals.

Santa Cop
For needy families in the community, life is made a little merrier around the holidays because of the generosity of others. With the help of the department and volunteers, the victim assistant oversees the Santa Cop program. Each year as the holiday nears; the department receives donations of teddy bears, toys, clothing and food from various individuals and groups to be distributed to some of our residents in need.

The victim assistant can be contacted at 772-461-3820 extension 5273 or . . .