Season 2, Episode 35 - Behind the Badge: A Closer Look at CSPD’s Special Victims Section

Behind the Badge: A Closer Look at CSPD's Special Victims Section

 

In the latest episode of 'Beyond the Dais', we engaged in a profound conversation with Lieutenant Shannon Snuggs of the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) to better understand the intricacies and the commitment of the Special Victims Section. From highlighting the department's values to exploring the synergies with Safe Passage, the episode underscored the department's focus on honor, responsiveness, and community welfare.

The Heart Behind the Badge:  As the lieutenant over the Special Victims Section, Lt. Snuggs opened the conversation with insights into the driving force behind her team's determination: honor. She shared stories of resilience, the importance of providing a voice to victims who often feel voiceless, and how fostering a culture of wellness and resilience within the department is instrumental for her detectives when dealing with the emotional challenges of their line of work.

Organizational Empathy:  The conversation underscored the CSPD's commitment to being responsible, excellence, humility, and honor, principles championed by Police Chief Adrian Vasquez. With a resolve to treat all individuals - victims and suspects alike - with dignity and fairness, Lt. Snuggs revealed the department’s approach in ensuring a balanced pursuit of justice that prioritizes constitutional rights and humane treatment.

A Synergy That Saves:  Diving deeper into their community initiatives, Lt. Snuggs talked about Safe Passage - the state’s only co-located child advocacy center offering comprehensive care for young victims. Celebrating its 30th year, Safe Passage is an emblem of improved victim experience, ensuring that affected children share their traumatic experiences just once in a safe, welcoming environment, thereby reducing their emotional distress and providing them with the support they need to begin healing.

The Criticality of Child Abuse Prevention:  In light of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Lt. Snuggs highlighted the significance of community awareness, especially as summer approaches and children spend less time in the safeguarding eyes of mandatory reporters. She brought to attention the harrowing statistic that one out of every seven children will experience abuse in their lifetime, and underscored the need for vigilance and willingness to report suspicions that could potentially save a child from further harm.

Taking Action:  In her closing statement, Lt. Snuggs dispensed practical advice for identifying potential signs of child abuse, from unusual bruising to sudden behavioral changes, stressing that channels like the CSPD hotline and CO4Kids resources are critical for community members to report concerns. Her earnest plea serves as a call to action for us all to be courageous advocates for the vulnerable.

As community members, every one of us carries the responsibility to act when we witness injustice or sense that a child may be at risk. Lt. Snuggs' transparent and informative discussion serves not only as an educational resource but as a heartfelt invitation to collaborate in sustaining the safety and wellbeing of our community's most vulnerable. With CSPD’s Special Victims Section leading by example, it's now our turn to step up and support their work.