The Tampa Police Department is seeking to hire several civilian employees who will work in embedded positions with law enforcement. Positions are now posted for a victim advocate and behavioral health clinicians.
The victim advocate will accompany officers when they respond to crimes that are traumatic in nature, which could include sexual assaults, child abuse, or homicides. As a trained professional, this position will work with victims of violent crimes or their families, answering questions and ensuring that victims have all the information they need as their case is being investigated.
"There is nothing more traumatic than being the victim or a witness to a violent crime. These residents need mental and emotional support, in addition to an officer who will thoroughly investigate their case, and that is where our victim advocate comes in," said Tampa Police Chief Mary O'Connor. "As the officer is gathering facts and information to do their job, the advocate is there completely focused on the victim's well-being."
To further TPD's commitment to community engagement, additional positions have been created for full-time, city-employed behavioral health clinicians as well.
Licensed clinical workers will ride along with officers to provide crisis-oriented clinical services, including on-scene assessments of adults, juveniles, veterans or homeless individuals who maybe experiencing a mental health crisis. The clinician will assess the situation and treatment needs of the individual while helping officers to deescalate the situation. The positions will focus on individuals identified as high utilizers of crisis stabilization units, emergency rooms, and calls for police service related to behavioral health issues.
"Officers want to help people at every call, but sometimes their needs can be greater than an officer's capabilities," said Chief O'Connor. "Having clinicians who can offer on-scene mental health support, deescalating a situation and possibly saving someone a trip to the hospital, is an invaluable tool."
Both the victim advocate and behavioral health clinician positions are now posted on the City of Tampa website and can be viewed through the following links: