Over a hundred participants from Idaho and Washington attended a one-day training, Enhancing Response to Domestic Violence, hosted by The Post Falls Police Victim Services Unit on May 9, 2013.

The Victim Services Unit is an innovative approach between law enforcement and victim advocates providing direct, immediate services and shelter to victims of domestic violence and other crimes. 

Crime Victim Advocates, are employees of the Post Falls Police Department, and are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond with officers to give immediate assistance to victims of crime. 

Support is ongoing and can include shelter, medical, court and prosecution assistance. The Victim Services Unit operates an emergency shelter and support group for victims. A resource library, volunteer corp., community education, and training is also available. Read more ...

The Post Falls Police Department Victim Services Unit is currently accepting old or broken cell phones.  Read more ...

Nearly two million older Americans are believed to experience abuse each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging. But only one in five cases is reported. Elder abuse is preventable but it requires research, education, advocacy and public awareness.

Elder abuse is a general term used to describe certain types of harm to older adults. Other terms commonly used include: "elder mistreatment," "senior abuse," "abuse in later life," "abuse of older adults," "abuse of older women," and "abuse of older men."

One of the more commonly accepted definitions of elder abuse is "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person."^[1] This definition has been adopted by the World Health Organization from a definition put forward by Action on Elder Abuse in the UK.

The core feature of this definition is that it focuses on harms where there is "expectation of trust" of the older person toward their abuser. Thus, it includes harms by people the older person knows or with whom they have a relationship, such as a spouse, partner or family member, a friend or neighbor, or people that the older person relies on for services. Many forms of elder abuse are recognized as types of domestic violence or family violence.

The term elder abuse does not include general criminal activity against older persons, such as home break ins, "muggings" in the street or "distraction burglary", where a stranger distracts an older person at the doorstep while another person enters the property to steal.

The abuse of elders by caretakers is a worldwide issue. In 2002, the work of the World Health Organization brought international attention to the issue of elder abuse.^[2] Over the years, government agencies and community professional groups, worldwide, have specified elder abuse as a social problem.^[3]

In 2006 the International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and an increasing number of events are held across the globe on this day to raise awareness of elder abuse, and highlight ways to challenge such abuse.^[4]

Our new Suicide Awareness Video (Public Service Announcement) is now finished and ready to view.  The Post Falls Police Department – Victim Service Unit is aware that suicide is a leading cause of death in Kootenai County.  View yet another tool we have to help combat suicide in our community. 

Post Falls Police - Victim Services Unit

The picture of domestic violence…..

It can be anyone; any race, religion, ethnicity, income level or age.  Domestic Violence affects everyone. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men will be victims of domestic violence. In collaboration with kNifve’s (Kootenai Northwest Independent Film and Video Entertainment Society) and produced by WJ Lazerus, the Post Falls Police Department proudly presents our Public Service Announcement on domestic violence.  For more information or resources please contact the Post Falls Police Victim Services Unit at (208) 773-1080.

This morning the Post Falls Police Department honored CTS for our ongoing support of their Victim Services Unit.  Since 2005 through our "Refuse to be a Victim" classes we have donated $6700 to the O.A.S.I.S. program.  We were very humbled and appreciative of the recognition.  However, our efforts are so miniscule in comparison to the great work done by not only the Victim Services Unit but the entire Post Falls Police department.

As you know, I teach in police departments and at law enforcement conferences across the country.  I can honestly say that I would put our local PD up against any department I have ever worked with.  The professionalism and dedication exemplified by these men in woman is something we should all be proud of.  Please take the time to help and support the PFPD whenever possible.

Thank you Center Target Sports!

In a response to the growing number of suicide threats, the Post Falls Police Department felt it is important to provide further assistance to these individuals. The Post Falls Police Chaplains will attempt to make contact with either the person who has made suicidal threats or the family and friends of the individual. The Chaplain's role is not to diagnose, provide treatment or therapy, but to simply provide support and referrals to community resources.