Nominations Sought For Victim Assistance Awards

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week.  Since that time, communities throughout the nation have acknowledged this special week with ceremonies, candlelight vigils, and commemorative activities to promote awareness of victims’ issues and rights. 

One week in April is declared National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), a time to pay tribute to crime victims.  During that week, the Department of the Interior joins the Office for Victims of Crime and other agencies in recognizing department and bureau employees for their outstanding efforts. DOI has now created a certificate of appreciation and medal to be given to those nominated by another department or bureau employee.

Eligibility guidelines include:

• One or more candidates may be nominated, including individuals, teams or a group of individuals.  Separate nomination applications must be submitted for each nominee. 
• Nominees must be employees of the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Minerals Management Service, Office of Surface Mining, US Geological Survey, or the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• Nominations are for “exceptional response,” which includes efforts above and beyond the call of duty, extraordinary assistance to a federal crime victim, leadership and vision in changing policy and/or influencing attitudes, innovations in procedures and regulations, aggressive investigation, prosecution, management or best practices, or effective implementation of the provisions of the attorney general’s guidelines for victim and witness assistance.

• A one to two-page synopsis of the activity or activities that qualify the individual or group for the award. The synopsis must not be longer than two pages and should have as much detail about the qualifying activities as possible.
• An official report or documentation from an appointing authority or submitting agency. Please note that federal law prohibits the Department of the Interior and its bureaus from disclosing any information submitted with an application that may compromise an ongoing law enforcement investigation or is otherwise required by law to be kept confidential.
• Statements by witnesses or individuals having personal knowledge of the facts surrounding the nominee's exceptional response and/or other supporting documentation. Please note that supplemental information must be received by March 14th and should not include videos, notebooks or bound publications.