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### **Director's Corner: Protecting the Vulnerable in Challenging Times**

 July 2020 | Volume 13 | Issue 7

Throughout the country, agencies are working through a  pandemic and are being asked to implement new and innovative public safety approaches  in response to concerns of social injustice. In the face of these obstacles,  the COPS Office remains confident in the field’s capacity to continue its  honorable work and lead change. 

This month’s *Dispatch* highlights a technical assistance program offered by the U.S. Department of  Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), information about establishing crisis  intervention team programs, and the perspectives of two law enforcement  executives who are leading their agencies through the pandemic. Taken together,  these articles are examples of the breadth of issues law enforcement has been  called upon to shoulder.

The goal of OVC’s Law Enforcement Victim–Based (LEV) Services  and Technical Assistance Program is to increase the number of victim services  programs in state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. Since 2018, when  the program began, LEV funds have been used to establish 31 new programs,  enhance 20 existing programs, and provide technical assistance to 188 program  sites.

Crisis intervention teams engage departments with behavioral  health service providers and other local resource providers to create a comprehensive  approach for responding to individuals experiencing mental health crises. *Best Practices for Addressing Mental Health  Crises in the Community*highlights strategies for ensuring that individuals  receive adequate care and reducing the likelihood of future police encounters  with individuals in crisis.

This month’s *Dispatch* also features interviews with Sheriff Peter Koutoujian of the Middlesex County (Massachusetts)  Sheriff’s Office, who serves as the President of Major County Sheriffs of  America, and Deputy Chief Fausto Pichardo of the New York City Police  Department. Both discussed their experiences serving their communities during  the height of the pandemic in their respective jurisdictions.

On behalf of the COPS Office, I encourage all  of the men and women of law enforcement and their community partners to remain  safe and resilient. 

– Director Keith

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