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SPD Home / Working Together / Victim Support Team / The VST Experience

THE VST VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

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

Basic Requirements

  • Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License
  • Must pass a Seattle Police Department background check
  • Must be 21 years of age or older

Become a VST VOLUNTEER

There are several steps to becoming a VST Volunteer:

  1. Submitting an application
  2. Attending a New Volunteer Open House
  3. An interview
  4. Passing a VST background check
  5. Attend VST training academy
  6. Attend follow-up refresher training as needed
I'M READY TO APPLY

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

  • Must demonstrate a strong commitment to assisting domestic violence victims
  • Must exercise strong listening and problem-solving skills
  • Must be able to work with people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds
  • Must be able to accept constructive feedback during the training process and beyond
  • Related crisis intervention experience and/or skills
  • One year of relevant volunteer work, training, or personal experience which prepares the volunteer to assist domestic violence victims in crisis
Time Commitment
  • Complete the 50-hour VST Training Academy
  • Attend monthly volunteer meetings for additional training.
  • Serve at least one 8-hour weekend shift per month. The VST shifts are during the following hours:
    • Friday 3rd Watch (Friday 7:00pm to Saturday 3:00am)
    • Saturday 2nd Watch (Saturday 11:00am to 7:00pm)
    • Saturday 3rd Watch (Saturday 7:00pm to Sunday 3:00am)
    • Sunday 2nd Watch (Sunday 11:00am to 7:00pm)
    • Sunday 3rd Watch (Sunday 7:00 p.m. to midnight)

 
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SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Headquarters: 610 5th Avenue,
Seattle, WA 98124-4986
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