Hailey
In a big move to help people who go through tough times, the Emporia Police Department has created a special new room at their station. This new space, made in partnership with Project Beloved, is not like the usual police interview rooms.
It’s designed to be calm, comforting, and safe for people who have experienced a crime or trauma. The goal is to support victims and witnesses in a way that makes them feel respected and emotionally safe.
What Is the New Soft Interview Room?
The soft interview room is a new space inside the Emporia Police Department headquarters. It is made for victims and witnesses who are going through stressful or emotional situations.
Unlike normal police interview rooms that feel cold and clinical, this room is warm, friendly, and peaceful. It has soft lighting, comfortable chairs, and thoughtful decoration.
This idea comes from Project Beloved, a non-profit group that helps law enforcement better support victims of crimes, especially survivors of trauma.
Why the Room Matters: Focus on Emotional Safety
In traditional police rooms, people often feel nervous or scared. Many victims already feel hurt and stressed, and being in a hard, cold room can make things worse. But this new room is different. It’s made to help people feel at ease.
With this room, the police want to show that they truly care about how victims feel. It’s not just about getting facts or evidence. It’s about showing compassion and understanding that emotional health matters too.
What Is Project Beloved?
Project Beloved is a non-profit organization started by a mother who lost her daughter to a violent crime. The group’s mission is to change how victims are treated during investigations by building trauma-informed soft interview rooms across the country.
They provide items like:
- Comfortable seating
- Soft, warm lighting
- Artwork and meaningful décor
- Peaceful wall colors
They believe these changes help people feel calmer and more able to share their story.
What the Emporia Police Are Saying
Police Chief Ed Owens said this new room and partnership are a big step forward. He believes that using trauma-informed practices is the future of policing, especially when working with people who have gone through trauma.
He added that helping victims emotionally is just as important as helping them legally. Creating a safe space for people to talk makes investigations more effective and respectful.
Why Trauma-Informed Spaces Are Important
Studies have shown that how a victim feels during an interview can affect the accuracy and detail of the information they give. When someone feels safe, they are more likely to talk openly.
A trauma-informed approach means:
- Understanding how trauma affects people
- Being kind and patient
- Reducing stress
- Making people feel heard and supported
By using this approach, police departments like Emporia’s are changing how law enforcement works for the better.
Community Response
Many in the Emporia community are happy to see this change. Some people have even said that this kind of support has been needed for a long time. It shows that police are willing to grow and improve their methods.
This kind of project also gives hope to victims who might otherwise stay silent. Knowing there is a calm, caring space may encourage more people to come forward and share their story.
What This Could Mean for the Future
This partnership with Project Beloved might just be the beginning. Other cities and police departments could follow this example and create their own soft rooms. It shows a shift in how police departments think about victim care.
Instead of just focusing on the facts of the crime, this approach also looks at the healing journey of the person involved.
What’s Next?
You can hear more about this new room and the idea behind it from Capt. Lisa Hayes during the KVOE Newsmaker segment at 7:20 a.m. on Monday. The station is expected to cover how the room was built, how it will be used, and how the community can benefit.
The Emporia Police Department’s soft interview room is a big step forward in how law enforcement helps victims of crime. With support from Project Beloved, they’ve created a safe, warm, and caring place that helps victims and witnesses feel more comfortable when talking to the police.
This shows a new way of thinking—one where emotional safety is just as important as solving a case. It’s a model that other cities should follow to build more trust and care in their communities.