WARWICK POLICE DEPARTMENT
“A Nationally Accredited Agency”
Colonel Stephen M. McCartney, Chief of Police
99 Veterans Memorial Drive
Warwick , RI 02886 -4617
(401) 468-4200
P R E S S R E L E A S E
December 12, 2005
Colonel Stephen McCartney of the Warwick Police Department announces the findings of a Victim/Witness Survey conducted by the department on September 6-9, 2005. The Warwick Police Department currently enjoys recognition as a Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Agency. The 2005 Victim/Witness Survey was conducted to demonstrate the Warwick Police Department’s allegiance to this coveted achievement and continued commitment to providing effective services to crime victims/ witnesses. The purpose of the 2005 Victims/Witness Survey was to conduct analysis of victim/witness needs and available services within the local community. The information collected will assist command staff and local advocates in identifying unfulfilled victim/witness needs that are appropriate for this department to provide or suitable for outside referral. Responses to the survey will ultimately result in changes to the department’s Crime Victims Services Directory. Several victims’ advocates have contributed to the development of this survey and have offered continued assistance, to include experienced volunteers who contacted victims via telephone. Calls were originated from the Warwick Police Department Headquarters during afternoon and evening hours. The volunteer callers attempted to contact 200 resident/non-resident victims and witnesses. The five major types of victimization within the Warwick community, as reflected in the department’s annual crime statistics report, served as the basis for victim/witness selection criterion. Special victims, such as those victimized by domestic violence were also included in the survey. The respondents’ identities and personal information will remain anonymous. College interns assigned to the Warwick Police Department assisted in compiling the survey data. The 2005 Warwick Police Department Victim/Witness Survey and Directory are posted on the department’s website www.warwickpd.org (Information link).
Point of Contact: Sergeant Joseph Coffey 468-4330, wpdaccred@warwickri.com