(COLDWATER) - The Branch County Sheriff's Office is seeking volunteers to join its Victim Services Team, a unit that provides crisis intervention and emotional support to crime victims and families facing sudden tragedy.
The team operates under the direction of the Sheriff's Office and serves as a liaison during emergencies, offering short-term assistance and guidance to individuals coping with loss or traumatic events.
The program is part of a statewide initiative launched by the Michigan Sheriffs' Association in 1988. The effort received a Presidential Citation for Private Sector Initiatives shortly after its creation.
Prospective volunteers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Selected candidates will complete a 20-hour training program provided by the Michigan Sheriffs' Association. Training includes instruction on the stages of grief, communication skills, law enforcement procedures and victims' rights.
Applications are available at the Branch County Sheriff's Office in Coldwater. Additional information is available by calling 517-278-2325 or contacting Victim Assistance Coordinator Denice Mack at 517-279-6435.