Decide on Core Membership

Law Enforcement Officers

Many jurisdictions have more than one law enforcement authority. Law enforcement agencies can include city or county police; sheriff's offices; highway patrol; state, tribal, campus, and military police; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and U.S. State Park Rangers. For example, the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians in Washington State patrol tribal parks and wilderness areas and have full police authority throughout the reservation. Some rangers—particularly those employed by public agencies (e.g., U.S. National Park Service)—have police powers and enforce laws in parks and surrounding areas.

No optimal single approach determines which department serves on a SART. Possible options include selecting a permanent member from the law enforcement office that investigates the largest number of sexual assaults or asking law enforcement offices that operate in the jurisdiction to select a permanent representative and then invite other agencies as needed. Each jurisdiction needs to develop the approach that best satisfies its needs.

On a SART, law enforcement officers—

• Provide case status information.
• Train team members on law enforcement policies and practices.
• Act as liaison between the team and other law enforcement agencies.
• Educate the team about how to improve coordination with law enforcement agencies.
• Update the team on emerging criminal justice issues.
• Provide background information for team case reviews.
• Update the team on local ordinances.
• Help implement initiatives aimed at teaching the community how to prevent sexual assault.