Congratulations for a job well done

Crime Victims Coordinator Melissa Horton selected as the Mount Pleasant Police Department 2019 Employee of the Year.

Melissa Horton has a strong history of commitment to victims of crime, victims’ rights, and victim services, supporting officers by providing a quick response to scenes in critical incidents, trauma situations, and situations where a victim advocate is needed immediately to resolve primary and secondary victim concerns. The people she helps are victims of sexual assaults, family violence, molested children, physical and mental abuse victims, other assaultive type offenses, D.W.I. assaults, deadly vehicle crash victims, families related to death investigations, and secondary victims-witnesses to crimes and death scenes. She responds to these community needs on a 24/7 basis.

•As the Victim Services Program Manager, she ensures compliance with state laws and Texas Police Chief Association Recognition Standards that apply to victim's rights and services.
•She is the liaison between officers and victims to provided support services for victims of crimes.
•Melissa develops and implements training for volunteers, officers, other police department units, and outside agencies and community groups.
•Melissa participates in community coalitions to include volunteering time with:
o First Responders Respond Foundation
o Ministering our Military Foundation
o Communities in Schools (CIS) – Board member
•She works with prosecutors and judges on behalf of victims.
•She created the Teddy Bears for Tears program, Blankets for Children and the Police Department Car Seat Program.

Melissa has achieved a reputation as a leading expert involving crime victim services and is called upon by many regional agencies requesting assistance from her when victim services are needed. She has changed the way the Mount Pleasant Police Department responds to and helps victims by providing comprehensive resources and promoting healing and empowerment for victims and their families.