(COLORADO) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) Victim Advocacy Unit (VAU) is looking for volunteers to help the police department’s staff provide critical resources and support to crime victims in Colorado Springs.

The CSPD VAU provides services and support to individuals who have been victimized by crimes that are covered by Colorado’s Victim Rights Act. Services include:

Immediate crisis intervention and safety planning (24 hours a day, seven days a week on-call victim assistance)

Information on the Colorado Victim Rights Act (VRA)

Assistance in completing applications for the Crime Victim Compensation Fund

Referrals to community agencies and resources

Support during the investigative process and education on the criminal justice system

Arrangement of interpretation services for victims with limited English proficiency

Information and assistance on obtaining protection orders

Volunteer applications are now open and are due by March 1.

Those who apply and are selected to become a VAU volunteer will be provided 40 hours of specialized training at the VAU Volunteer Victim Advocate Training Academy starting April 1 through May. The academy will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Volunteers work side-by-side with the police department’s full-time staff. Participants will be trained in victim advocacy skills, including crisis intervention, community resources, and VAU operations. All applications are required to complete a criminal background check and polygraph before enrollment in the unit.

To apply, click the link above.