The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department has a strong working relationship with Victim Services.  Both the Sheriff’s Office and the Rochester Police Department give priority to sexual assaults.   I support the county’s efforts to provide assistance to victims of sexual crimes.  Both the Sheriff’s Office and RPD have protocols in place directing deputies and officers to offer an advocate to every sexual assault victim and in most cases, victims have an advocate present when they make a police report.

The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department, RPD and Victim Services participate on the Sexual Assault Interagency Council that works to continuously improve responses to sexual assault survivors.  The SAIC is currently in the process of updating our sexual assault response protocols.