(Courtesy photo) Nashua police victim/witness advocate Jennifer Dickinson stands with Nashua police Captain Brian Trefry, left, and Deputy Chief James Testaverde after she received the Sandra Matheson Award, which is presented annually to an advocate who "embodies commitment, collaboration, and leadership to improve the rights and services for victims of crime in New Hampshire."

CONCORD – Representatives of the Nashua Police Department command and law enforcement officials from across the state turned out recently to honor Nashua PD victim/witness advocate Jennifer Dickinson as the recipient of this year’s annual Sandra Matheson Award.

“Jenn is known for passionately and patiently working hundreds of cases each year (and) selflessly making herself available to help victims at all hours of the day and night,” state Attorney General John Formella said in presenting the award.

He also praised Dickinson for “doing everything in her power to ensure each survivor is not only heard, but receives the appropriate services to find safety and enhance their lives.”

Each year’s Matheson award recipient is selected based on three main elements:

• Building strong, effective collaborative relationships with community partners.

• Improving the rights of, and services for, crime victims and survivors.

• Demonstrating leadership in the field of victim services.

The award, first presented a decade ago, pays tribute to Matheson, who created the Attorney General’s Office of Victim/Witness Assistance nearly 30 years ago, and served as its director until her retirement. According to officials involved in creating the award, it was Matheson’s pioneering work in the development of laws, policies, and collaborations that led to improvements in the systems that assist victims of crimes.

The annual recipient of the award in Matheson’s name “embodies commitment, collaboration, and leadership to improve the rights and services for victims of crime in New Hampshire.”

Dickinson, meanwhile, has handled an estimated 10,000 cases of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking since becoming Nashua PD’s victim/witness advocate 15 years ago.

Before coming to Nashua, Dickinson “found her calling” while working with domestic violence survivors at the Manchester YWCA, Formella said.

Over her years in Nashua, Dickinson “advocates for the rights of, and services for, crime survivors … on a daily basis,” he said. Her job also involves making sure that Nashua police are complying with the victim’s bill of rights.

She is known for “using her own time and tenacity to fight for the humanity and justice she believes each survivor deserves,” Formella added.

As the victim/witness advocate, Dickinson becomes involved in Nashua domestic violences cases from when a suspect is arrested through to the disposition of the case. In between, she is involved in negotiations, trials, sentencings, all while keeping prosecutors updated on each survivor’s wishes and concerns.

Formella noted that over the past year or so, Dickinson has been working with prosecutors to develop new guidelines for prosecuting Nashua domestic violences cases.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.