The Las Cruces Police Department Victim Assistance Program was established in September 1993 under the Victims’ of Crime Act (VOCA) Grant. It was the first police-based victim assistance program in the State of New Mexico. It was considered a pilot program until 1997 when it became a model for the state.
Victims Assistance Unit
In 1998 the Victims Assistance Program was integrated with the Las Cruces Police Department and became known as the Victims Assistance Unit. Over the years Victims Assistance continued to grow and, in 2005, received funding from both Violence Against Women Act and the City of Las Cruces to build the offices that the unit is presently housed in.
Mission
The mission of the Las Cruces Police Department Victims Assistance Unit is to provide the community residents with:
- An array of comprehensive services as needed
- Collaboration with other community agencies
- Financial assistance through the New Mexico Crime Victim’s Reparation Commission
- Guidance through the steps of the Criminal Justice System
- Provide victims of crime with crisis intervention at the time the call for assistance to a police officer occurs
Victims
The Las Cruces Police Department’s Victims Assistance Unit will concentrate on victims of felony offenses that are non-prosecutorial and misdemeanor cases. Cases being prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office are handled by their Victim Advocates. Victims of these crimes will be provided with:
- Crisis intervention through the Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) (PDF) at the time the call for assistance by a police officer occurs
- Financial assistance through the New Mexico Crime Victim’s Reparation Commission
- Guidance through the steps of the Criminal Justice System
- Services as needed through collaboration with other community agencies
Offender Status
For offender status or release information please visit Victim Information Notification Everyday. If the offender is in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, victims will need to register separately with the Department of Homeland Security’s ICE Victim Notification Program.
Contact Us
Erika Valencia – Program Coordinator
Email Erika Valencia:
[email protected]
Police Department
Email the Police Department:
[email protected]
Physical Address:
217 E Picacho Avenue
Las Cruces, NM 88004
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 20000
Las Cruces, NM 88004
Phone: (575) 528-4200
Emergency Phone: 911
Email the Victims Assistance Unit: [email protected]
