Award Presentation, LTR: Carroll Ann Ellis - Director of Victim Services Division of the Fairfax County Police Department, Irvine Police Commander Mike Hamel, Irvine Police Sergeant John Condon, Chief Carl Wolf - Vice President / Treasurer - International Association of Chiefs of Police, Irvine Police Chief Dave Maggard, Joye Frost - Acting Director of the U.S. Office for Victims of Crime.  

IRVINE, CA (October 6, 2009):  On Monday October 5, 2009 Irvine Police Chief Dave Maggard was presented with a 2009 Excellence in Victim Services Award at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference.  This award recognizes law enforcement agencies that have developed and implemented innovative strategies for providing comprehensive services to victims of crime.

The award presented to Chief Maggard recognizes the Family Violence Prevention Focus Group, a collaboration initiated by the Irvine Police Department and comprised of members of the Police Department, Community Services Department and other community partners.  This group, inspired by Sergeant John Condon, set out to reduce the occurrence of family violence, to educate victims about available resources and to increase reporting of these crimes which tend to be underreported.  A priority of this group was to communicate that there are individuals, police officers and agencies that are ready and willing to help victims in need. 

Out of this group's effort came a domestic violence public service announcement, which is aired on the City of Irvine's ICTV Channel 30 "I on Safety" program.  This announcement includes victim testimony, examples of what constitutes abuse, resources for victims, and the assurance that "we are here to help."  The program can be viewed through the City of Irvine's website at www.cityofirvine.org.

"We are honored to receive this prestigious national award," said Chief Dave Maggard.  "This recognition illustrates the value of supporting crime victims with a collaborative community approach.  Our work is a City-wide effort and includes the Community Services Department, Human Options and Community Services Programs (CSP).  There is much work left to do, so we remain committed to helping crime victims in the City of Irvine." 

Another component of Irvine's comprehensive victim support services is the addition of a dedicated Community Services Programs (CSP) victim advocate, who will work out of the Irvine Police Department to provide personalized service to the Irvine community.