Warner Robins police adding first in-house victim advocate

Chief Wayne Fisher says the position will help victims connect with resources while allowing investigators to focus more time on casework.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Warner Robins police are adding the department’s first in-house victim advocate position to help crime victims get support faster.

It’s part of the city’s $185 million municipal budget.

Warner Robins Chief Wayne Fisher says the role was created to speed up support for crime victims while freeing up investigators’ time to focus solely on casework. The new position will be trained by the Houston County District Attorney’s Office to ensure a seamless transition for all victims during a difficult time.

“One of the things I’ve identified was that many times the victims of crime were feeling that they weren’t receiving the adequate contact back from the investigator,” Fisher said. “As well as to ensure we’re aligning resources to victims of crime, especially domestic violence and crimes of violence, in a more timely fashion.”

Chief Fisher says this position not only takes the pressure off victims, but also helps investigators solve cases quicker with no outside noise.

“Many times, a victim of a crime, and I understand this, and I would view it in a similar fashion point, that my crime that I’m a victim of is most paramount to be addressed,” he said. “Not realizing that a detective might have anywhere between 40 to 80 other cases assigned to them that they have to investigate as well. So, it’s a two-point process, one to be more aligned with providing resources to the victims of crime, as well as to take a little off the investigators to where they can focus their time more on the investigation itself.”

Chief Fisher says the main goal is to get the position hired soon so victims can get the help they need.

“As Warner Robins as well sits in Peach County, they too will be binding over into the Peach County jurisdictional point of superior court, to get what they need for support as far as the victims’ advocate side,” he said.

The exact start date for the new victim advocate has not yet been set, but the position has already been posted.