Victims Assistance

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 victims 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:

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 Victims Advocate Team 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]

Victims Assistance Unit
Phone: (575) 528-4111
Email:
[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]