Our Mission
The Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations (CUSI) is a multi-agency task force that exists to provide criminal investigation services in response to reports of sexual assault, other serious sexual offenses, and serious child abuse and neglect. Such cases require special expertise in order to better protect victims and enable successful prosecutions.
The operations of the Unit will promote cooperative efforts between municipalities, police agencies, prosecutors, medical experts, the Department for Children and Families, and victim advocacy groups.
CUSI operates on a referral process, and receives reports from partners throughout the state. Within the community, CUSI promotes education, advocacy and awareness regarding the prevention of abuse at all levels.
The Unit strives to perform its mission lawfully and with intelligence, dedication, fairness, compassion, and competence while insuring special sensitivity to the needs of victims.
Our History
The Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations was formed with the intent to bring a multi-disciplinary team approach to the investigation and prosecution of sexual abuse and child abuse crimes.
Late in 1991, the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office, as well as county police chiefs and town managers began evaluating the possibility of combining resources in key areas — one of which was the investigation of sexual abuse crimes, as well as cases of physical or sexual abuse involving a child.
CUSI was designed to recognize and meet the emotional needs for adult and child victims and survivors of sexual or physical abuse. This includes having an office space that is a comfortable and safe environment, free of a traditional police atmosphere, and ordinary office distractions.
The Unit is comprised of non-uniformed investigators, and has it’s own victim’s advocate to focus on immediate needs, and assisting the victim and families through the investigative and potential prosecution procedures.
In 1992 meetings were held, a police board of local agency officials was created, and in July CUSI began operations. Each police department in the county was asked to contribute to the initiative in the form of personnel, equipment, or financial support.
The University of Vermont provided a residential structure within Fort Ethan Allen that served as CUSI’s original home, and many local business donated furniture and supplies. The Unit’s structure was used as a prototype for units in other areas of the Vermont. Currently, there is at least one Special Investigation Unit in each Vermont county.
CUSI Today
The CUSI team continues to tackle reports of abuse, and has expanded it’s investigative capabilities to include human trafficking and internet crimes. While CUSI’s commitment to justice has remained the same, the context within which CUSI operates has continued to evolve with the rise of technology.
With a multi-disciplinary team of investigators from agencies around the county, comprised of police detectives, a DCF investigator, a State’s Attorney, a Victim’s Advocate, and a Director for the Children’s Advocacy Center, CUSI continues to focus outward on outreach and prevention efforts to quell the tide of abuse in Chittenden County.
In addition to investigations, the Unit engages in training and developmental activities for other area professionals who encounter suspected victims of abuse.
