On Oct. 17, the Brighton Office for Victim Assistance (BOVA) was awarded the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 2023 Leadership in Victim Services Award for a midsize agency at the 30th annual IACP conference in San Diego. 

This award recognizes agencies that exemplify an organizational philosophy of placing victims at the center of their problem-solving efforts, and utilizing effective partnerships, training methods, and performance monitoring tools to enhance law enforcement response to victims of crime.    

BOVA serves the Colorado communities of Brighton, Commerce City, Fort Lupton, and Lochbuie.  Through this strong collaboration, BOVA has become a critical part of the response to all Colorado-identified Victim Rights Act (VRA) crimes and personal tragedies that occur within the jurisdictions served. 

BOVA is staffed by dedicated and highly-trained advocates who are on-call 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, to respond immediately to the scene of a crime, accident, or victim's home. Victim advocates not only support victims through the immediate trauma, but they also provide follow-up with referral information to further aid victims and their families through the healing process. In addition to direct victim services, under the BOVA model, advocates attend investigator and community meetings on a regular basis, providing education and a much-needed voice for victims. 

“The impacts of crime are far reaching, long lasting, and tremendously impactful to victims,” said Brighton Police Chief Matt Domenico. “I am proud of the work the Brighton Office for Victim Assistance has done to serve victims, prioritize their rights throughout the criminal justice process, and include the voices of victims in problem solving efforts. BOVA sets the standards for others to follow in the field of Victim Services.” 

These services are not possible without volunteers. For more information about becoming a BOVA Volunteer Victim Advocate, visit www.brightonco.gov/348/Become-a-Volunteer.