File a Report

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual or domestic assault, you can file a police report. Once you have filed a report, the case will be reviewed by the Special Victims Unit Sergeant who will assign the case to a detective. Find out more about the investigative process here. It is important to note that you can file a police report and choose not to move forward with an investigation. If you ever decide to move forward with an investigation, it will be helpful for the detectives to have the history on file. 

HOW TO FILE A REPORT: 

1.CALL 911- a patrol officer will respond to your location and conduct a preliminary investigation. You can call 911 for assaults that have just occurred or for past assaults.

2. IN PERSON- We have two locations in Springfield:   321 E. Chestnut Expy.  & 2620 W. Battlefield Rd.  You can come to either of these locations. Notify the Police Service Representative about why you are there and they will contact a patrol officer to meet you in the lobby. That officer will then take your statement and conduct a preliminary investigation. 

3. AT THE HOSPITAL-  If the assault has just occurred, we encourage you to go to the hospital. If you were a victim of sexual assault, the hospital will conduct a sexual assault kit. A sexual assault kit doesn't just potentially provide DNA evidence of the attacker, but will also create a log of any apparent injuries you may have sustained.  What is a sexual assault kit? 

Regardless of if you have a kit collected, the hospital staff will ask you if you'd like to file a police report. If you decide to file a report, a patrol officer will come to the hospital and conducted a preliminary investigation, which includes the collection of any evidence, to include your kit. If you go to the hospital and have a sexual assault kit performed you do not have to file a police report. You can also be treated for injuries, not have a kit taken and still file a police report. 

If you have a kit collected you have options for next steps:  

1. Reported the assault - a patrol officer will come to the hospital to take your statement, write a report and collect your sexual assault kit. The kit will be sent to the  Missouri State Highway Patrol Lab for testing within 14 days of picking it up from the hospital.  

2. Make an anonymous report- A report will not be taken and you will not have any direct contact with SPD but an officer will still collect your sexual assault kit. The kit will be sent to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Lab for testing within 14 days of picking it up from the hospital.  

3. Do not report -  There will be no contact with SPD. Your sexual assault kit will remain at the hospital and will not be sent to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Lab for testing. 

                                                             

If you choose, you may have a trained victim advocate present during any part of the process to offer guidance and support. Contact a victim advocate. 


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