MORE ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS  

Community Outreach Program

Victim Support Team

Seattle Police Explorers Program

   

ON-GOING GRANT PROGRAMS

The Seattle Police Foundation supports a number of projects on an on-going basis. Based on original grant applications and subsequent evaluations from the annual grants program, the SPF has identified a number of successful programs where annual, on-going support is warranted for program efficacy. The following programs and projects are supported on an annual basis.

ON-GOING GRANT PROGRAMS

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM
SPD’s Community Outreach Program works to create and strengthen programs and communication efforts that build trust between police and minority communities.  Programs focus on working with immigrant and minority communities that have developed fears of working with the police department.  Funds assist SPD in making over 1,200 positive contacts annually with members of Seattle’s minority communities with such events as Night Out Against Crime, Year of Hope 2007 Event, Demographic Student Success Parent Workshop, and Role Reversal demonstrations.

VICTIM SUPPORT TEAM
The Victim Support Team provides on-site crisis intervention and support to domestic violence victims immediately following a domestic violence incident at secured crime scenes.  The program addresses the gap in services for domestic violence victims and their children between the time patrol officers respond to a call and the time advocates, detectives and prosecutors make contact with the victim for follow-up. VST assists the victim by locating crisis needs such as shelter, food, clothing, and transportation. VST volunteers provide information about community resources, explain “next steps” in the criminal justice system, and help victims develop a safety plan. SPF Grant funds support much needed volunteer training, which helps increase the skill-set of the VST program, as well as assist with volunteer retention.

WOMEN IN POLICING
Funds from the Seattle Police Foundation support an annual full-day career development seminar for Women in Policing.  All SPD employees, both sworn and civilian, are invited to attend these one-day seminars.  While each seminar has a different theme, the overarching message is balancing all of the challenges women face in law enforcement today.

TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Tuition Assistance Program assists SPD employees in obtaining education or training in subjects and fields that are directly related to their job, increase effectiveness in their work, and prepare for career advancement within SPD. Consistent with SPF’s mission, the Tuition Assistance Program promotes strategies that support the Department’s mission of excellence.  In 2007, the first year for the program, twenty-one SPD employees received up to $1,000 each to put toward obtaining Associate, Bachelor or Masters degrees in fields related to criminal justice or toward acquiring language skills.

SEATTLE POLICE EXPLORERS PROGRAM
SPF funds support the Seattle Police Explorers Program. The mission of the Explorer program is to bridge the gap between youth and police by educating and involving them in police operations and to interest them in Law Enforcement. The program encourages Explorer's participation in rewarding and productive service activities, and enhances their preparation for future roles as citizen and community members. Besides gaining a working knowledge of police work, the participants have the opportunity to give of themselves to their community.  Explorers wear their SPD uniform with pride, and they understand they must positively represent SPD, the City, and themselves.