Shakopee Police Department 2021 Annual Report

2021 ANNUAL REPORT | POLICE DEPARTMENT | SHAKOPEE, MN

Victim and Community Service

By Barbara Hedstrom, Victim and Community Services Coordinator

Barb Hedstrom, the current coordinator, also remains active in researching, sharing and understanding emerging issues that affect crime victims such as: ■ Protecting victim’s privacy in publicly available criminal justice records ■ Addressing the gap created between the criminal court findings of defendant’s incompetency to stand trial—or dismissal of charges due to defendant’s mental capacity at time of committing crime—and initiation of any mental illness services or civil commitment actions; and ■ Status of untested sexual assault kits including changes in the law addressing collection, access to and processing of sexual assault kits In 2021, the victim and community services coordinator had 572 victim contacts, 249 contacts with other criminal justice or victim services professionals, 110 community contacts and attended 40 hearings with or on behalf of crime victims

The Shakopee Police Department’s Crime Victim and Community Services Coordinator reaches out to and receives calls from crime victims The goal of this civilian position is to help crime victims recover from their victimization and assist them in applying their crime victim rights This can happen in a variety of ways including: ■ Updating victims about the status of an investigation and a criminal court case ■ Helping victims understand the most common emotional reactions they may experience including fear, shock, anxiety, disbelief, anger, guilt or shame, depression and frustration ■ Connecting victims with resources to help them overcome emotional trauma ■ Assisting victims in locating financial resources and emergency funds to help overcome some of the economic impact of their victimization ■ Explaining their crime victim rights and the criminal court hearing process In 2021, the coordinator also participated in a variety of community events, organizations and programs including: ■ Scott County Sexual Assault Response Team ■ CAP/Esperanza food distribution ■ Shakopee Police Department’s Recovery Assistance Scholarship Program ■ HEART Ministry Community Giveaway ■ Shakopee Community Assistance and Loaves N Fishes meals and events ■ Southern Valley Alliance events including Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Gifts of Hope ■ Hometown Bank Fraud/Scam Prevention/Response ■ Shakopee High School Law/Legal Studies class presentation and CAPs internship

Victim and Community Services | 15