Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office

Crime Victims’ Services

POLICE SOCIAL SERVICES

• Elderly Victim Services (TRIAD)

• Domestic Violence Unit

• Crime Victims Reparations

• Neighborhood Watch Program

• Crime Victims with Disabilities Program

• Protective Orders

About PSS:

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Police Social Services Section is a one-of-a-kind victim services program in the state of Louisiana which provides comprehensive services to crime victims.  Founded in 1997, this unique program differs from most Victim Assistance programs.  Crisis services are initiated immediately, on-scene for the victim, when the victimization occurs, and continues throughout the entire criminal justice process for as long as the victim requires help.

This program serves as the hub for community resource allocations.  PSS has partnered with other social agencies to ensure that the needs of all victims are met.  The list of available services is extensive and includes:  crisis/trauma counseling, emergency financial aid, transportation, accompaniment to court, accompaniment to a hospital,  shelter or safe house, personal advocacy during a criminal investigation and trial, assistance with protective orders and various legal matters, victim notification, child care during court, providing toys and blankets to child victims, on-going follow-ups for as long as necessary, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and many, many more. 

Another important aspect of the PSS program is the provision of law enforcement training.  Extensive training programs provided by PSS in the areas of death notification, victim rights, domestic violence, sexual assaults, and victims with disabilities have influenced attitudes, policies, and direct service provision in these important areas.  In one year alone, PSS trained over 350 law enforcement officers throughout the state of Louisiana.  Presentations were also made at two National Sheriff's Association Annual Conferences to educate other sheriffs on implementing a Police Social Services Section in their own agencies.

These Victim Assistance services offered by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office have grown into a fully comprehensive Police Social Services program which has had a far-reaching impact and unbelievable success.  It has been recognized by the U. S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime for dedication and hard work on behalf of America’s crime victims and was the recipient of the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office Award for Program of Excellence.  However, it is the gratitude (received from the thousands of victims served by this program) that drives the Police Social Services Section in its pursuit of victim assistance excellence.

The Police Social Service Section (PSS) is directed by a licensed professional counselor, who is also a P.O.S.T. certified police officer.  This program began with one full-time officer and one volunteer, and now it consists of 12 officers, 2 supplemental officers, and 2 volunteers.  In addition to general victim assistance services, several specialty services such as the Elderly Victim Services, the Crime Victims with Disabilities program, the Domestic Violence Unit and the Crime Victims Reparations assistance program have been implemented.