A VOICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME
NICOLE CARROLL’S STORY AS DIRECTOR OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT'S VICTIM SERVICES UNIT “Imagine being the victim or witness of a crime and feeling this overwhelming sense of hopelessness,” said Nicole Carroll, two-time Tiffin University alumna and lifelong advocate for victims of crime. “When I joined the Louisville Metro Police Department in 2016, I structured the Victim Services Unit around the guiding principles of fairness and compassion,” explained Nicole. “Violent crime has the potential to change the course of a person’s entire life and crime can cause a ripple effect that impacts entire communities. I recognized the importance of implementing trauma-informed and victim-centered practices within the police department and sought to do just that." Nicole graduated from Tiffin University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree in law enforcement. She also holds a Master of Science degree in criminal justice with a concentration in forensic psychology from TU, which she earned in 2007. According to her, the education she received while enrolled benefited her professionally. "The information gleaned from Dr. Victor’s Agency Management class and a course on statistics taught by Dr. Hurwitz were extremely helpful to me in my career," she explained. "The knowledge developed from these courses helped me create, implement and direct the Victim Services Unit. Throughout its development, I reflected on my education to help determine how the implementation of law enforcement-based victim services would benefit the department and the greater community.” Before finding her professional home with the Louisville Metro Police Department, Nicole began her career with the Vanderbilt University Police Department in 2007 under the title of Victim Services Coordinator. According to Nicole, her primary function was to ensure the implementation of support and advocacy services for students on campus. After her time at Vanderbilt, Nicole moved to Alexandria, Virginia and worked as a Victim Services Specialist for the Fairfax County Police Department from 2012 to 2016. During her tenure, she received two departmental honors, including their Team Excellence Award and the Meritorious Award. The Team Excellence Award was given in recognition of Nicole maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct relating to a child sexual abuse case. The Meritorious Award was granted in recognition of her exemplary performance of duty while supporting the family of Andrea Crew, a local homicide victim. In 2016, Nicole found her way to the Louisville Metro Police Department, and was hired with the expectation that she would
establish and maintain any and all resources allocated for the assistance of violent crime victims and witnesses. Under her guidance, the Victim Services Unit was born, and Nicole is grateful to come to work each day able to align her personal passions with a career. "I am privileged to have not only found work I love, but I could not ask for a better team to help me do it," said Nicole. "Everybody in my unit has a unique set of skills that are crucial in helping persons impacted by crime navigate what may very well be the worst time in their lives. It is an honor to be able to support those experiencing grief, trauma, chaos or loss, and I encourage my team to advocate for the rights of victims and ensure my team has the tools to support these people through their trauma. It’s extremely rewarding work.” According to Nicole, her unit's primary objective is to provide those affected by serious crimes with fair, compassionate and sensitive treatment, all with the goal of helping them through these difficult periods. This is achieved in a number of ways and is often catered to each individual or family. Most often, this takes the form of helping these individuals navigate the rigors of the criminal justice system while making sure their emotional, physical and financial needs are met. "The Victim Services Unit guides victims and witnesses of crime through the investigation and prosecution of their case," Nicole explained. "Our primary responsibility is to lessen the inconveniences often associated with participation in the criminal justice process. Victim services professionals ensure victims receive information and referrals, personal advocacy and accompaniment, emotional support and safety services, safe temporary housing and criminal as well as civil justice system assistance." Nicole's team consists of 15 experienced victim services professionals as well as an onstaff therapy dog, Leo. In 2020, her leadership efforts were recognized by her department, and she was awarded the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Civilian Supervisor of the Year Award. In addition to serving her community while on the clock, her community outreach and engagement work extends into her personal life as well. Nicole has utilized her area-expertise on multiple occasions to assist law enforcement agencies across the country with the implementation of similar programs to the one she founded. She teaches at the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Training Academy and is a curriculum developer and adjunct instructor for the University of Louisville's Southern Police Institute. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct professor at Bellarmine University. 21 / A VOICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME
