Police Department

Crisis, Advocacy, Intervention Programs (CAIP)

Our CAIP team members don’t wear capes, but they do incredibly important public safety work nonetheless. CAIP is a coordinated effort among multiple City of Burlington positions, housed in the Burlington Police Department. Team members include the BPD’s new Community Support Liaisons, or CSLs, as well as: the CEDO Victim’s Service Specialist; the BPD’s Domestic Violence Advocate; and the BPD’s Domestic Violence Prevention Officer, or DVPO, who is the only sworn police officer on the team. From domestic violence to victim’s services, from intervention in low-level crises to support for those experiencing mental-health challenges or substance-use disorder, CAIP team members address conditions that don’t require police intervention but have a public safety, public health, or quality-of-life nexus. The can include neighbor disputes and issues around houselessness. The unit uses person-centered approaches, provides trauma-informed care, and emphasizes culturally competent responses to support those who have experienced harm. The programs use a police officer only when it is necessary, such as when a crime has been committed or when public safety or people’s physical safety is at risk. The team works in conjunction with other social-service providers throughout Burlington and Chittenden County to help fill gaps and build bridges.

The unit is comprised of: 

Domestic Violence Advocate

Domestic Violence Prevention Officer

Victim Service Specialist

Community Support Supervisor

Community Support Liaisons

 

To reach the Domestic Violence Advocate, please call: 802-540-2392.

To reach the Community Support Liaisons, please call: 802-540-2395

 

 

Snapshot of incidents and issues that are addressed by CAIP: 

  • Community Affairs Support.  Quality of life complaints, low-level crime prevention/intervention, conflict resolution, mediation, restorative processes
  • Houseless Support.  Housing information and referrals, resource coordination & connection
  • Mental Health and Substance Use Support.  Intervention, resource coordination, information, and referrals. 
  • Victim Services.  DV/SV support, victim advocacy, assistance with written statements
  • Parallel Justice for Victims of Crime.  Limited financial support
  • Community Engagement.  Tabling events, constituent group talks
  • Crime Prevention Activities.  Restorative justice that does not involve the criminal justice system

Current Program Positions and Job Functions: 

*this is not a comprehensive list of job functions, so if you do not see it listed, don't worry!  Assistance is not limited to the duties listed below*

Domestic Violence Advocate

  • Support victims of domestic violence with TRO's
  • Connect victims of domestic violence with community resources
  • Support victims of sexual violence with TRO's
  • Connect victims with States Attorney's Office and provide them with conditions of release
  • Ability to assist victims with filing a police report
  • Follow-up with victims per request of other agencies, i.e. police, States Attorney's Office, Steps or Hopeworks
  • Track all protection orders sent to the Burlington Police Department 
  • Liasison to both Family and Civil Court regarding service of the protection orders
  • Attend Family Court Final Protection Order Hearings
  • Testify as Domestic Violence Expert Witness

Domestic Violence Prevention Officer

  • Domestic Violence Advocate
  • Follow-up with victims/offenders for open cases
  • Take cases that need follow-up and intensive investigation 
  • Coordinate with the States Attorney's Office, Victim Advocates, and other State, Local, and Federal Agencies on open cases
  • Help connect victims with social resources and safety resources through STEPS to End Domestic Violence, AALV, DCF, and others
  • Check in with victims during, pre-arraignment, open cases, and post-conviction to ensure a seamless flow of information is provided
  • Perform conditions check (court conditions, TRO/FRO)
  • Help on cases in Burlington and throughout the State as needed. 
  • Do victim-impact statements and past bad acts statements as well as making sure the victim's wishes and concerns are expressed to the courts
  • Participate in a number of committee's related to sexual and domestic violence
  • Take referrals from other agencies in the county, from the States Attorney's Office, and from CUSI
  • Assist in filing out paperwork and applying for TRO's

Victim Service Specialist

  • Parallel Justice for Victim of Crime (financial help for victims of crime)
  • Victim advocacy
  • Victim support and case follow-up
  • Vicitm information and referrals
  • Victim resource and coordination
  • TRO's/RFA support
  • Crime prevention activities
  • Alternative Justice referrals

Community Support Supervisor

  • Advocacy
  • Management of the City's Policy on Sheltering on Public Land
  • Outreach case management, and housing navigations services for individuals that are homeless
  • Active member of the Chittenden County Treatment Court Team
  • Answer calls/emails from citizens about any issue that is civil in nature
  • Mediation of neighbor to neighbor conflicts, landlord advocacy
  • Access point to file complaints on BPD personnel
  • Assists community members with resolving quality of life issues
  • Participation on hiring panels for new Officers
  • Supervision of the Community Support Liaison positions

Community Support Liaisons

  • Respond to real time calls for service, where the presence of law enforcement is not necessary and/or appropriate.  These types of calls include:
    • Issues related to mental health
    • Issues related to substance use
    • Issues related to homelessness
    • Proactive prevention work related to public safety
  • Culturally competent temporary case management, service connection and person defined support provided