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Volunteering at SPD:
Victim Support Team (VST)

Seattle Police Department currently offers the rewarding opportunity to volunteer with the Domestic Violence Victim Support Team (VST). 

[APPLY TO BECOME A VST VOLUNTEER]

ABOUT THE VST PROGRAM

Seattle Police Department’s Domestic Violence Victim Support Team (VST) program is a unique partnership between community members and police to address and prevent domestic violence.  The program is designed to address the gap in services to domestic violence victims that exists between the time patrol officers respond to a 9-1-1 call and take a report, to the time advocates, detectives, and prosecutors make contact with the victim for follow up. 

WHAT DO VST VOLUNTEERS DO?

Community volunteers with VST provide crisis intervention, support, and resources to domestic violence victims and their children at secured crime scenes during the critical time following a domestic violence incident.  VST volunteers work in teams of two and are supervised by a VST On-Call Supervisor, are dispatched by police radio and respond immediately to secured crime scenes, and are equipped with an unmarked police car, police radio, cell phone, and resources. 

BECOMING A VST VOLUNTEER

There are several steps to becoming a VST Volunteer, including submitting an application, attending a New Volunteer Orientation and Screening, interviewing, passing a VST background check, VST training academy, and a follow-up training. 

VST and AMERICORPS PARTNERSHIP

Americorps LogoThe VST office is staffed by a Program Manager, Volunteer Supervisor, and 1-2 JustServe AmeriCorps members each year.

AmeriCorps is a federally funded domestic Peace Corps programs that provide individuals of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to address some of the most pressing problems facing our country today. In return for providing a year of service, AmeriCorps members receive a monthly living allowance, training opportunities, and an educational award to help finance college education or vocational training, or to pay back student loans. 

Victim Support Team Volunteer

Working directly with police officers, VSTs provide the much needed service of "what happens AFTER the incident" while also freeing up officers to respond to other calls.

Victim Support Team Volunteer

At the beginning of their shift, VST Volunteers go through DV reports to call and follow-up with victims.

VST Volunteer

During his second training shift, a VST trainer goes over the training checklist for a new volunteer fresh out of academy.
VST Volunteer

VST volunteers gather their supplies at the South precinct in preparation for their weekend shift.
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