Jones County Sheriff's Department Deputy Melisa Kelland has been assigned to serve as the Victims' Advocate under the Victims Of Crime Act (VOCA) grant. Deputy Melisa Kelland replaces Deputy Reagan Smith who transferred to the Patrol Division.

As a Victims' Advocate, Deputy Kelland will assist victims of crime in navigating the criminal justice system and obtaining information on their case status. She will advocate for crime victims and help them understand their rights.

JCSD is fortunate to have two Victims' Advocates including Deputy Melisa Kelland and Deputy Priscilla Pitts who serves under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant.

"We are proud to have Deputy Melisa Kelland begin in her new position as our VOCA Victims' Advocate on Monday, April 12th," advises Sheriff Joe Berlin. He concludes, "We are focused on proactively helping crime victims and seeking out unreported victims of crime each and every day."

#####

Pictured left to right:

Deputy Priscilla Pitts (VAWA Advocate), Sheriff Joe Berlin, and Deputy Melisa Kelland (VOCA Advocate)