January 17, 2025
As the Chicago Police Department continues to expand its support for the families of homicide victims, the Family Liaison Officers (FLOs) from the Bureau of Detectives are also receiving continuous training to best serve those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to violence. On January 14, 2025, FLOs attended a one-day training designed to empower them with additional resources that enhance their ability to engage with the families they serve.
This training was led by Dr. Kathryn Bocanegra of the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois – Chicago and developed alongside CPD personnel from the Bureau of Detectives. Trainers also included leaders from the Institute of Nonviolence Chicago, Lisa Daniels of the Darren B. Easterling Center for Restorative Practices and Dr. Stanley McCracken who retired from the Crown School of Social Work at the University of Chicago.
“People have clearly articulated their needs and challenges in the work, so this training is more targeted,” said Dr. Bocanegra. “It is truly a collaborative and comprehensive endeavor, and what I’m most excited about is bringing community expertise and survivor experiences into this space.”
Each training session was co-led by a survivor from the community who has experienced the tragedy of losing a family member to violence. By including those with lived experiences in the training, the Family Liaison Officers will have a better understanding of how those affected by violence would be willing to engage with law enforcement during the investigative process.
The Family Liaison Office was established in 2021 as a pilot program within the Bureau of Detectives. Since then, the program has been implemented in all five Detective Division Areas, Domestic Violence Court as well as the Major Accidents Investigations Unit.
The Family Liaison Office focuses on providing support to families living with the grief of loss from violence. The FLOs are a bridge between homicide detectives and families of victims, providing resources and updates to the families as investigators seek justice for the victims. Since launching, the FLOs have expanded their presence for these families through regular engagements and continued contact throughout the investigative and judicial process.
Dr. Bocanegra related that through her work with survivor groups across the city, she has heard increasingly positive views of the Family Liaison Office.
“They have a really important bridging role between the community and law enforcement, and they’re doing it so successfully from what I hear from survivors and community members,” said Dr. Bocanegra.