Justice Department Honors Oklahoma City Chief of Police for Service to Victims Of Crime

Today, the Department of Justice recognized Oklahoma City Chief of Police Captain William Citty with the Allied Professional Award. The honor is awarded to individuals outside the victim assistance profession for their service to victims and contributions to the field of victim services. He was honored during the annual National Crime Victims’ Service Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“Chief Citty has served and protected the people of Oklahoma City for more than 40 years, and has been a champion for victims of crime,” Attorney General Sessions said.  “He has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty in serving them, including by helping to open Palomar, Oklahoma City’s Family Justice Center.  I applaud his dedication to victims and I am grateful for his tireless service on their behalf.”

Citty became Oklahoma City’s 48^th Chief of Police in 2003. Citty championed the creation of Family Justice Center, which has changed the framework of Oklahoma City’s response to crime victims by providing wraparound services to victims of domestic violence and other crime. Previously, Oklahoma City victims were sent from location to location for services, often hindering their ability to heal from traumatic experiences.

“Mr. Citty’s compassion and leadership has significantly improved the way victims of crime are treated in Oklahoma City,” said Director Darlene Hutchinson of the Office for Victims of Crime. “The Department of Justice is proud to honor him for his remarkable contributions to his community and for his commitment to justice for all victims of crime.”

During today’s ceremony, the Justice Department recognized a dozen individuals and organizations for their outstanding efforts on behalf of victims of crime. Awardees were selected from public nominations in ten categories.

Each year in April, the Department of Justice observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by taking time to honor victims of crime and those who advocate on their behalf. In addition, the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney’s Offices organize events to honor the victims and advocates, as well as bring awareness to services available to victims of crime. This year’s observance takes place April 8-14, with the theme Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims.

The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, within the Office of Justice Programs, leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each year. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in 1981 to bring greater sensitivity to the needs and rights of victims of crime.

The Office of Justice Programs provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America, and providing grants for the implementation of these crime fighting strategies. Because most of the responsibility for crime control and prevention falls to law enforcement officers in states, cities, and neighborhoods, the federal government can be effective in these areas only to the extent that it can enter into partnerships with these officers. More information about the Office of Justice Programs and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov. More information about Crime Victim’s Rights Week can be found at https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw/.