Tompkins County outlines proposed Special Victims Unit

Published on October 21, 2026

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Derek Osborne, Tompkins County Sheriff & Shawna Black, Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature

Tompkins County outlines proposed Special Victims Unit to strengthen response to sexual violence

The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office and Tompkins County Legislature are sharing details of a proposed Special Victims Unit (SVU) designed to improve how sexual assault and serious child abuse cases are investigated and how survivors are supported across the county.

The proposal follows significant public concern after a recent Cornell University case and has prompted important questions about how sexual assault investigations occur in the context of a complex countywide system. At last night’s legislature meeting, Sheriff Derek Osborne emphasized that the SVU concept is a service, not a mandate, not a takeover, and not a criticism of any agency or investigator. Instead, it represents an opportunity to strengthen coordination in a decentralized environment where municipal, state, and campus law enforcement agencies each have different staffing, practices, and resources.

“Sexual assault survivors deserve dignity and a strong, coordinated investigative response,” Sheriff Derek Osborne said. “This proposal asks whether we can provide additional specialized expertise and a more consistent investigative process. It is not about assigning blame or taking over anyone’s work; it’s about asking how we can serve victims better by working together.”

Under the proposal, the Sheriff’s office would house a dedicated unit staffed with specially trained investigators, an evidence and forensic services specialist, a supervising lieutenant, a civilian case coordinator, a dedicated prosecutor, and an embedded victim advocate. The SVU would be available as a collaborative service, enabling smaller agencies to access investigative capacity they may not have, while also supporting larger agencies through shared standards, training, and resources. Agencies could choose to embed investigators within the SVU through formal agreements.

Osborne stressed that this model would only move forward with full collaboration and clearly defined agreements that respect each agency’s statutory responsibilities and operational needs. “Participation and case referrals must be clearly defined, not assumed,” he said. “This is a partnership, not an order.”

County leaders also noted that a more unified investigative process could reduce repeated interviews, improve evidence handling and strengthen communication with survivors. Many sexual assault reports, particularly on campuses, are made to Title IX rather than law enforcement. A professional, trauma‑informed SVU could encourage more survivors to report directly to law enforcement.

“This is about improving trust and outcomes for survivors,” Legislature Chair Shawna Black said. “Our community expects us to act, and this plan represents a meaningful step toward a more unified and victim‑centered approach.”

Osborne also underscored the District Attorney’s independent role, noting that an SVU would focus solely on strengthening the investigative foundation of cases, not on altering prosecutorial discretion. “Investigators and prosecutors have distinct responsibilities, and this proposal respects that. What we can improve is the consistency and quality of investigations presented for review.”

Funding for the SVU has not yet been finalized, and the plan remains a proposal. The Sheriff has recommended creating a structured planning group involving the Legislature, Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, County Attorney, Child Protective Services, the Advocacy Center, and interested law enforcement partners, including campus agencies, to review operational, legal, and resource considerations before any implementation decisions are made.

“Our responsibility is to ask whether the people we serve will be safer and better supported because we chose to work together,” Osborne said. “We may not prevent every act of violence, but we can build a response rooted in competence, compassion, and continuity of care.”

Updates will be shared as the proposal moves through the county’s review and decision‑making process.